DANGEROUS FALSE TEACHING ON PAUL: PART THREE

37). “Paul says it’s better to not get married like him. The Torah says otherwise. “It is not good for man to be alone”.

REBUKE: In 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, Paul states the following: “But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn”. 

Here, Paul is talking about the “spiritual gift” of “singleness” vs. the “spiritual blessing of marriage”. He says that “singleness” is a slightly higher spiritual calling than being married.

However, Paul doesn’t discount marriage but rather, upholds it. Paul is confirming that married souls are to “be as one flesh”, “one body”, “one soul” and “one mind” (more or less AFFIRMING Jesus’s words in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9!) Paul says that some people are CALLED to be married, while OTHERS are NOT called to be married! And that’s very much TRUE, according to the bible! Look at Hosea, who was called to be married to a prostitute! And to Jeremiah, who was CALLED TO BE SINGLE ALL HIS DAYS!?

And when Paul is saying that he wished all men were like him, it was NOT for selfish, egotistical purposes as it might first appear on the surface. But rather, he was saying in his heart that he wished ALL men had “24/7” to devote to Christ and Christ’s gospel! For a married spouse is more concerned with “worldly things” (such as how to please their spouse, rather than how to please God!) However, like I said, Paul is NOT denouncing marriage. He talks all throughout 1 Corinthians 7 on the IMPORTANCE of marriage, about how two “become as one”, etc.

And as far as I can see, Paul gives a very easy descriptor of those that are “called” to marriage; they simply “can not control their lusts” for a very specific person of the opposite gender! For he says that those who are called to “singleness”, by CONTRAST, will, by the power of God, easily be able to DEFEAT any lustful thoughts or temptations and remain “pure” and live a “celibate lifestyle”. We also don’t know if Paul was NEVER married OR if he was at some point and was “widowed” by the time he was called to ministry! But what we DO know is that Paul is making some very clear “distinctions” between “married life” and “single life”.

38). “Paul’s teaching of abstinence above all lead to sexual immorality among church leaders for centuries, and it still continues”.

REBUKE: Paul did NOT preach “abstinence ABOVE ALL”. Lets re-examine 1 Corinthians 7:2 again! 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 says the following: “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency“. 

So in other words, Paul ONLY taught abstinence OUTSIDE of marriage. While INSIDE a marriage, Paul taught husbands and wives to GIVE SEXUAL AFFECTION TO ONE ANOTHER – for to do otherwise – in a MARRIAGE – was “sin” and giving a foothold to Satan! And true, several “religious leaders” over time HAVE taken Paul’s words OUT OF CONTEXT and started whole “religious movements of abstinence” (i.e. Catholic priests, Buddhist Monks, etc.) But that is NOT Paul’s fault!

If I myself were to write a memoir and people 100 years into the future misinterpreted what I said and started a “false religious movement” BASED off that MAJOR “misinterpretation” of MY written work, how would that be MY fault? Think about it, folks! Answer: It wouldn’t be! And just like it wouldn’t be MY fault but the misinterpreters’ own fault(s), neither is it Paul’s fault for “religious leaders” MISINTERPRETING his written words SEVERAL years after his death!

Also as well: how is Paul (now long dead) responsible for THEIR SEXUAL SINS *due* to their misinterpretation/false teaching OF his written words? If those same people who, 100 years from now, misinterpreted my written words then partook of a MAJOR sin DUE to that misinterpretation, would “I” (a person long dead by then) then be responsible for THEIR SINS? I think NOT! So it is with Paul!

39). “Paul says he, “being crafty, caught you with guile”.

REBUKE: Being “crafty” doesn’t necessarily mean that one is being “malicious” or “evil”. Let me think of an example. If a 19-year old boy still lives at home and has no job and his father is trying to get “junior” to get a job. So the father goes out and strategically and secretly places tree branches under junior’s tires to see rather or not junior had gone physically job-applying that day or not. And then, at the end of the day, the “sticks” were still in the same spot under junior’s tires, so the father KNEW his son had NOT gone physically job applying like he promised his father he would. The father, by non-evil “craftiness”, found his son “full of guile” and “deceit!”

And so it was with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:16 in which Paul states, “But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile”.

So in other words, this is the moment in time when Paul (I’m assuming this is when Paul went to go back and “check” on a church he had originally planted, earlier?), being non-maliciously crafty (much like the “father” in the example above), found “deceit/guile” IN the church (the one he had planted or taught in, earlier?) When Paul says in the passage: “I DID NOT BURDEN YOU”, Paul is letting us know how much he LOVED this “church” that he was so-called “going back to check on/inquire about”. That tells me that the type of “crafty” Paul employed was NOT evil or malicious but yet, humble, loving and long-suffering.

Afterall, the father in the above example only LOVINGLY wants what’s BEST for his son, just like Paul only LOVINGLY wants what’s best for God’s people! “Caught you with guile”. OUCH! Think about those words, folks! Think about how it must’ve grieved Paul AT HIS VERY HEART to have to think, then to verbally SAY those words! Like, imagine in the example given up above when the father is FORCED to confront his son with the TRUTH that he’s discovered: “Junior! You LIED to me! You didn’t go job-applying like you told me you would!”

When and if junior tries to defend himself (just as I’m sure it’s likely the church tried to defend ITSELF against Paul’s accusation of “guile” being found among them – atleast at first, anyways), the father then would’ve had to say to his beloved son: “WITH CRAFTINESS, I CAUGHT YOU!” And then when he SHOWED “Junior” the PROOF of what he had found, “Junior” would’ve then had nothing to say for himself, just as the church would’ve had nothing to say for ITSELF once confronted with the PROOF that Paul had that THEY were full of deceit and guile!

40). “Paul says it’s OK to lie, as long as it leads people to Christ (Romans 3:7)”.

REBUKE: This one, like many before, was taken WAY OUT OF CONTEXT! Romans 3:7 states: “For IF the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?”

There, Paul is asking his congregants a philosophical question. Many at the time were persecuting Paul, calling him a false prophet, accusing him of lying and everything else under the sun. So Paul, in his defense, more or less asked the congregants a question of rational and deductive reasoning: “IF my lie caused the gospel of salvation to prosper and glorified God in the process, then why am I still judged as a sinner?“

In other words, Paul is saying between the lines that God is a God of truth and can NOT lie, so neither can HE, for it would serve NO THEOLOGICAL OR PRACTICAL PURPOSE! In another sense, he’s also implying that LIES can NOT prosper the gospel of salvation but if they ever do, it would serve the person telling the lie NO PURPOSE since that individual will have given all that “testimony of God” FOR NOTHING since they would be eternally judged as an “unrepentant sinner!” And Paul, as we know, was about as “religious” and “over-zealous” for Jesus/the gospel as one can GET!

Therefore, it stands to reason: if the gospel “so-called” prospered by Paul’s “so-calling” lying, and Paul KNEW he’d go straight to hell when he died, why would Paul put himself through all that? The threat of persecution, DEATH? The loss of “FINANCIAL SECURITY and PRESTIGE” among the Pharisees, the “loss of reputation and livelihood” among the Pharisees? Being HATED by MANY? He risked ALL THAT for a LIE? I don’t think so! A person ONLY risks all of those things if they were doing it for something or someone that they 100% BEYOND ALL SHADOW OF A DOUBT BELIEVE IN! Otherwise, a person would NOT risk everything for “said person” or “said thing”, that’s just human nature, folks! 

41). “Paul says to be all things to all people, a subtle doctrine of deceit”.

REBUKE: It’s NOT deceit to relate to people at their own pace and on their own level! 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 states: “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you”.

At first glance, it might appear as though Paul was trying to be “the master of disguises”. But that’s NOT what Paul was doing there. He was simply meeting them at their own spiritual pace, and on their OWN level! That would be no different than if I were to learn everything I possibly could about the Hindu religion before preaching about Christ to the Hindu! I would be doing myself a SERIOUS disservice if I knew nothing firsthand about the Hindu religion BEFORE preaching about Christ to the Hindu. Not to mention the Hindu themselves would also probably think: “Oh, so you think you’re better than me and that YOUR religion is better than MINE, do you? Away with you!”

But yet, if I LEARN everything I can about the Hindu religion BEFORE preaching Christ to the Hindu, I’d have a much better chance conversing with the Hindu about Christ! Plus the Hindu would then be more “receptive” to what I was saying about Christ, if they knew that “I” knew about their Hindu religion or where they were currently “at”. Paul met people where they are “at” and didn’t expect them to be at the “same pace” as HIM! He meant them at their own pace and didn’t try to FORCE them to do ANYTHING, other than to be receptive to Christ’s love for mankind during his sacrifice on the cross for our sins! Therefore, we can all learn ALOT from Paul and his preaching style!

42). “There are only 12 foundations on New Jerusalem, with the 12 disciples’ names written on them, Paul makes 13″.

Rebuke: Paul NEVER said or claimed to be “one of the 12!” In Galatians 1:12, Paul says: “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ”. There, Paul is letting us know that he got his authority to “teach the gospel” from Christ HIMSELF! And though he called himself “apostle” and fellowshipped with the other apostles, he never ONCE called himself a member of the original 12! He also never assigned himself a number of any sorts! Therefore, since Paul NEVER claimed to be one of the 12, and NEVER claimed any “number”, he ALSO never claimed that his name was gonna be featured on one of the 12 foundations on New Jerusalem!

[Disclaimer: Judas Iscariot “betrayed” the Lord. So will the 12th foundation STILL have Judas’s name on it? Or will it be replaced by Matthias? Or could it POSSIBLY be replaced by Paul? We simply don’t know, folks! Only God The Heavenly Father knows!]

43). “There are only 12 gates leading into New Jerusalem, where’s Paul’s?”

REBUKE: The 12 FOUNDATIONS of the walls are composed of 12 apostle names while the 12 GATES are the names of JACOB’S 12 SONS! Therefore, Paul would NOT be named on ANY of the 12 GATES since the 12 GATES are named after Jacob’s 12 sons (Reuben, Judah, Joseph, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon, Naphtali, Levi, Asher, Gad, and Dan).

[Disclaimer: The tribe of Dan “disgraced the Lord” and was “cast out” – much like Judas Iscariot was. So will Dan STILL have a gate named after him? Or will it be replaced by Manasseh – Joseph’s younger son – whose tribe REPLACED Dan in the 12 tribes of Israel? Or will it instead possibly be named David after King David? Again, only God the Heavenly Father knows!]

44). “Paul quotes writings of Euripedes (406B.C.) and claims it to be the words of the Messiah (“kick against the pricks”)”.

REBUKE: The play called “Baccae” by Euripedes was written around 406B.C. while the letters of Paul are estimated to be written around 50 to 58A.D. – So yes. In retrospect, The Baccae by Euripedes was written FIRST, several hundred years before Paul’s gospels, sure. However – the Old Testament Jewish scriptures had been in circulation LONG BEFORE any “Greek play” hit the Earth. Therefore, it’s FAR more possible that Greek “plays” borrowed from the Old Testament scriptures, than the Old Testament scriptures borrowing from THEM! Therefore, if any New Testament writers borrowed from any Greek plays (who more than likely borrowed from Old Testament scriptures), then it wouldn’t mean much in retrospect.

Eusebius of Caesarea, wrote in his work “The Preparation of the Gospel”, and argued the case in great detail that Plato learned from Moses, etc., for instance. Plus we also knew that Luke was Paul’s personal secretary and was “Greek-educated”. So did Luke himself insert the words “kick against the pricks?” Quite possibly. But if so, did Luke do so with deceitful intentions? Ofcourse not. He may’ve possibly only did that so that the Greek “converts” to Jesus would have a much better, richer understanding of who Jesus the Messiah WAS! 

But regardless. Rather Paul and Luke borrowed from the ancient Greek play or not [and just for the record, I don’t think they did], it still doesn’t change the fact that A) Jesus appeared to Paul and that B) Jesus “commissioned” Paul to preach the gospel. And think about it folks, if Paul “lied” about his “spiritual visitation from the ressurected Jesus”, then why would he risk his LIFE, his REPUTATION, his FINANCES, his good, cushy societal standing in the synagogue/with Rome, etc. just to be “popular” among those he had previously severely persecuted/killed, knowing FULL WELL that now HE would now be A HUMAN TARGET at risk for being severely persecuted and possibly KILLED for his *newfound faith in Jesus?* That doesn’t make any sense, whatsoever!

Therefore, in conclusion, it’s FAR more likely that Paul REALLY DID have a supernatural experience with Jesus that filled him with SO MUCH DREAD/FEAR of going AGAINST Jesus (as he had previously done) to now desperately wanting to SERVE JESUS in any way he could, in order to save him FROM THE WRATH OF THE ONE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY PERSECUTED! And sure, it took him “three full days” to come to terms with what he had just seen and experienced. But think about it, folks. Think about if YOU had been Saul in that position and had had the total, divine visitation that he had had of the VERY THING you made an occupation out of PERSECUTING! Wouldn’t that also throw YOU for a “mental” and “spiritual’ loop for 2-3 days? Answer: it WOULD and anyone that says otherwise is most likely LYING! 

[P.S.: For a Modern-day human being to compare Jesus’s own words to the words of Euripedes is the HEIGHT of spiritual blasphemy! I pray that any and ALL modern-day souls who do that WILL REPENT!!!!!]

45). “Paul taught popular doctrines of stoicism instead of the law (deny the flesh)”.

REBUKE: In Acts 17:16-21, it states, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)”

So in summary: Paul was waiting for some of his spiritual companions at Athens. He’s GRIEVED to discover that the city is wholly given over to IDOLATRY! Therefore, Paul starts speaking out AGAINST IDOLATRY! And the Hellenistic Epicureans and Stoics then become interested in Paul’s preaching for he seems to be preaching “a new thing” (salvation and faith in Jesus Christ, alone!) And much like Buddhism, stoicism tells its followers to “deny themselves physical pleasures – IN GENERAL – in order to attain a degree of higher spirituality”. 

Paul teaches ABSTINENCE OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE, while it may “appear” somewhat similar to stoicism and Buddhism at first glance –  is totally DIFFERENT from what the Stoics/Buddhists later taught! So I’m not seeing the point being made here…..? From what I can see in Acts 17, Paul was ANTI-STOIC…. 

46). “Paul has no witnesses to his conversion”.

REBUKE: Paul’s conversion story can be found in Acts Chapters 9, 22, and 26. Each account has slightly different literary details, yes. But one thing is consistent, all throughout. The two “witnesses” to Paul’s conversion are A) his traveling companions and B) a Christian man by the name of Ananias. Note: The internet is chalk FULL about the traveling companions of Paul AFTER his conversion. But not BEFORE his conversion. Those sources are a little bit more harder to come by. Nevertheless, if and when I find out who any of THOSE pre-conversion travel companions were of Paul’s, I will list and add them here. 

47). “The early Ebionite and Nazarene churches utterly rejected Paul as a false apostle”.

REBUKE: In Acts 24:5-6, it says: “For we [The Pharisees/Sanhedrin] have found this man [Paul] a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law”.

Verses 14-15 then go on to say: “But this I [Paul] confess unto thee, that after the way [Ebionites] which they [The Jewish Pharisees] call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they [The Jewish Pharisees] themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust”.

And upon reading the ENTIRE chapter of Acts 24, it becomes readily apparent that only THE PHARISEES/SANHEDRIN reject Saul-turned-Paul as a “false apostle of/to the Jews”, NOT the Nazarenes or Ebionites!  

48). “The other disciples did not believe Paul was a disciple in Acts 9”.

REBUKE: Acts 9:26-28 states: “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem“.

Translation? The 12 disciples (now included with Matthias in place of Judas?) weren’t sure if they could “trust” Paul’s “genuineness” at first. And that’s to be perfectly understandable. For imagine if a jihadist-Christian-beheading-RADICAL-MUSLIM, who had most recently been “indicted” for KILLING Christians, then had a seeming “change of heart” and walked into a MAJOR Christian church JUST THREE DAYS LATER and said: “I’ve had an encounter with Jesus, I want to co-pastor!” Imagine how ANY Christian pastor would IMMEDIATELY REACT! They would FEAR! They would likely say: “No! You’re not gonna kill me or my congregants! Get outta here before I call the cops! NOW!” Therefore, is it ANY WONDER that the 12 disciples who were with Jesus weren’t 100% sure at first if Paul was “trolling” them or not? Think about it, folks! 

49). “The true apostles did not defend Paul when he was imprisoned and questioned”.

REBUKE: Paul’s “imprisonment” is discussed in Acts chapters 24-28, Acts 16:23-24, Philemon 1:1-25, among possible other places in the New Testament that I’m not yet aware of. At VERY first scriptural glance, it DOES appear as though no-one defended Paul as he was being imprisoned and questioned.

However, in Acts 20:36-38, [RIGHT AFTER PAUL TELLS THEM HE’S ABOUT TO BE ARRESTED OVER IN JERUSALEM], it says: “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship”.

Then again, in Acts 21:4 “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem“.

And again in Acts 21:8-12 “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem”.

Translation? Many of Paul’s friends (including some of disciples themselves, most likely) were WARNING PAUL NOT TO GO TO JERUSALEM, as to try to make Paul not get arrested! 

But in the next verse, in Acts 21:13-14, it says, “Then Paul answered, ‘What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done“.

Translation? Paul was “ready to die for Christ, if need be”. And once the disciples and Paul’s friends ACCEPTED that fact, they CEASED warning him about going to Jerusalem and all said in unison: “The will of the Lord be done”. In other words, the disciples and many of Paul’s followers tried to talk him OUT of going to Jerusalem, where they KNEW he’d be arrested and possibly killed. But Paul INSISTED on dying for Christ and couldn’t be persuaded otherwise, therefore, they [the disciples and others] were willing to “let go and let God”, as the saying goes. 

50). “Paul’s conversion story is almost identical to that of Pentheus, King of Thebes from the play titled Baccae, written 400 years earlier. Dionysus (instead of “Jesus”) is confronting his persecutor and states “You disregard my words of warning….and kick against the pricks, a man defying god”.

REBUKE: This one’s a “rehash” of number 44 on the list. Nevertheless, I will provide the same rebuke since number 44 and number 50 are practically one and the same:

The play called “Baccae” by Euripedes was written around 406B.C. while the letters of Paul are estimated to be written around 50 to 58A.D. – So yes. In retrospect, The Baccae by Euripedes was written FIRST, several hundred years before Paul’s gospels, sure. However – the Old Testament Jewish scriptures had been in circulation LONG BEFORE any “Greek play” hit the Earth. Therefore, it’s FAR more possible that Greek “plays” borrowed from the Old Testament scriptures, rather than the Old Testament scriptures borrowing from THEM! Therefore, if any New Testament writers borrowed from any Greek plays (who more than likely borrowed from Old Testament scriptures), then it wouldn’t mean much in retrospect.

Eusebius of Caesarea, wrote in his work “The Preparation of the Gospel”, and argued the case in great detail that Plato learned from Moses, etc., for instance. Plus we also knew that Luke was Paul’s personal secretary and was “Greek-educated”. So did Luke himself insert the words “kick against the pricks” specifically for his Greek-speaking audience? Quite possibly. But if so, did Luke do so with deceitful intentions? Ofcourse not! He may’ve possibly only did that so that the Greek “converts” to Jesus would have a much better, richer understanding of who Jesus the Messiah WAS! 

But regardless. Rather Paul and Luke borrowed from the ancient Greek play or not [and just for the record, I don’t think they did], it still doesn’t change the fact that A) Jesus appeared to Paul and that B) Jesus “commissioned” Paul to preach the gospel. And think about it folks, if Paul “lied” about his “spiritual visitation from the ressurected Jesus”, then why would he risk his LIFE, his REPUTATION, his FINANCES, his good, cushy societal standing in the synagogue/with Rome, etc. just to be “popular” among those he had previously severely persecuted/killed, knowing FULL WELL that now HE would now be A HUMAN TARGET at risk for being SEVERELY persecuted and possibly KILLED for his *newfound faith in Jesus?* That doesn’t make any sense, whatsoever!

Therefore, in conclusion, it’s FAR more likely that Paul REALLY DID have a supernatural experience with Jesus that filled him with SO MUCH DREAD/FEAR of going AGAINST Jesus (as he had previously done) that he was now, from that point forth, DESPERATELY wanting to SERVE JESUS in any way he could, in order to save him FROM THE WRATH OF THE ONE HE HAD PREVIOUSLY PERSECUTED! And sure, it took him “three full days” to come to terms with what he had just seen and experienced. But think about it, folks. Think about if YOU had been Saul in that position and had had the total, divine visitation that he had had of the VERY THING you made an occupation out of PERSECUTING! Wouldn’t that also throw YOU for a “mental” and “spiritual’ loop for 2-3 days? Answer: it WOULD and anyone that says otherwise is most likely LYING! 

[P.S.: To put Jesus’s name in QUOTATION MARKS and to compare him to DIONYSUS (a FALSE Greek “god”) is the HEIGHT of BLASPHEMY! Therefore, I pray that any and ALL souls who do that WILL REPENT!!!!!!] 

So folks, in COMPLETE SUMMARY, there you have it. The 50 reasons why we KNOW that Paul is a TRUE APOSTLE! Not OF the original 12 (which Paul NEVER claimed to be) but an “Apostle” nonetheless! 

DANGEROUS FALSE TEACHING ON PAUL: PART TWO

24). “Paul taught to follow your conscious, not the law”.

REBUKE:

I could be wrong but I believe what’s being referred to here is either Romans 2:11-16, which states:

“For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel”.

Or Romans 14:13-23, which says:

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”.

Or quite possibly 2 Colossians 16:17 which states:

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ”.

Okay, in Romans 2:11-16, Paul is describing HOW Jesus Christ will judge souls on the Day of Judgement (in other words, Paul is describing Jesus’s judgement criteria as far as “spiritual hearts” go. So in other words, people who do things that are SINFUL according TO the law (but that had no knowledge of the law) will be judged accordingly. Those that only HEAR the law will NOT be counted as “justified” UNTIL they also start OBEYING the law (James 1: 22-25).

And when a person does NOT have the knowledge of the law of God but DOES things that are written in the law (i.e. honoring their elders/mother/father, taking care of their neighbors in time of need, helping to feed homeless people, putting other’s peoples’ needs above their own, etc.), THEY will be a law onto themselves (meaning, they will also be “justified”, just like the people who KNEW the law AND obeyed it will be justified?) There, Paul is not directly “against the law”. But is rather talking about HOW the law (in and of itself) is the “measuring stick” by WHICH we determine “sin”……if that makes any sense? 

In Romans 14:13-23, Paul is telling us that we are not to do anything to make fellow believers stumble. In other words, we are not to “judge” and “confuse them” when it comes to things like abstaining from certain meats, wine, etc. So in other words, if WE believe it’s forbidden to eat pork and another Christian does NOT, what Paul is saying in these verses is that we’re supposed to let them hash it out with God at their own pace, instead of trying to proverbially FORCE them not to eat pork anymore, since to do so wouldn’t be defined as true “Christian love” on our part, if that makes any sense?

We ALL come to God and come to a certain spiritual WALK with God at our OWN paces – therefore, to try to force EVERY believer to go at the SAME PACE as us is just – ungodly? You can’t FORCE it on them? Just like someone ELSE that knows that WE don’t eat pork should NOT eat pork in FRONT OF US! Etc. Also: If one knows pork is unclean and eats it anyways, etc. – what Paul is possibly suggesting there is that that particular person has then spiritually condemned themselves by their lack of faith *IN* THE (DIETARY) LAW(S?) Or is Paul talking about faith there in the last 4 verses and not food? 

And last but not least, 2 Colossians 16:17? Paul IS likely talking to the Gentiles there. Therefore, it DOES seem (at first glance) as though he’s saying that the Gentiles do NOT have to celebrate in the BIBLICAL holidays or BIBLICAL SABBATH. But is that REALLY what Paul is saying there? Let us examine this a bit further….Paul’s not directly telling Gentiles to NOT celebrate in the 7th Day Biblical Sabbath or Biblical Holidays. But rather, he’s likely telling the Gentiles to not let any Jewish soul judge them AS it pertained to the 7th Day Biblical Sabbath and Biblical holidays. (Or is Paul also addressing a “Jewish” audience, in which he’s telling Jews not to let any NON-Jew judge they, the Jew, IN their observing the 7th Day Biblical Sabbath and Biblical Feasts? We simply don’t know for 100% sure).

In other words, there were many over-zealous Jewish souls around the times of Paul that were more or less saying to all the Gentiles in their midst: “You HAVE to follow Jewish laws and precepts if you want to be saved/redeemed by God”. So what Paul was saying to the Gentiles is to NOT let those over-zealous Jewish souls judge THEM, the Gentile, AS it pertains to the biblical sabbath and feasts since to do so (on the Jewish soul’s part) would’ve been “ungodly” and “unrighteous”? 

On the flipside of that were likely some “over-righteous” Jewish souls that were NOT letting the Gentiles participate in the 7th Day “Jewish” Biblical Sabbath and the Biblical “Jewish” holidays. (As it still is to this day – many a Orthodox Jew today will label a “Messianic Jew/Judeo-Christian” as a SPIRITUAL CHARLATAN and will ESPECIALLY hate whenever a “Messianic Jew/Judeo-Christian” participates in “THEIR” *strictly Jewish* 7th Day Biblical Sabbath and Biblical Holidays! They will oftentimes be caught saying things such as: “Messianic Jews have NO SPIRITUAL RIGHT or REASON to participate in the 7th Day Sabbath and Jewish Biblical Holidays since they were made for JEWS, ONLY!” OUCH!) So perhaps Paul was addressing THEM, as well. But regardless, the whole point of Paul’s saying right there is that the Gentile was NOT supposed to let the non-Gentile judge THEM when it comes to “Jewish law” for ONLY Jesus Christ HIMSELF is the judge!

Paul was ALSO gently reminding the Gentiles that THE 7th Day Biblical Sabbath and Biblical Holidays were a shadow of things to come (i.e. Jesus was fulfilled IN some of the biblical feasts and WOULD someday be fulfilled in THE REST of the biblical feasts) and that ALL (Jew and Gentile alike) were the Body of Christ, the “church”, the “ekklesia!” So therefore, to HIGHLIGHT their differences was of “no effect” to the gospel and threw the gospel out of whack: “Love thy neighbor as yourself”. If that makes any sense. So in other words, Paul wasn’t telling them NOT to celebrate in “Jewish” biblical holidays, only that their FOCUS should be on Christ!  

But, regardless, I don’t really see any verses in the bible that would suggest that Paul is “against the law”. In fact, I see several verses to the contrary…..

In Acts 25:8, Paul says, “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all”.

Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good”

Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”.

Romans 7:7-8 “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead”

Galatians 5:13-14 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”

Galatians 3:19 “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator”

Galatians 3:24-26 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus”.

25). “Paul says the law justifies, then says it doesn’t in the next chapter (Romans 2-3).

REBUKE: Romans 2:11-16 says: “For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel”

Romans 3:23-31 says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law”.

Summary: In Romans chapter 2, Paul is saying that the law is what determines “sin” and that those who HEAR *and* OBEY the law will be “justified” and also that those people who do NOT have access to “the law” but of whom DO the law “naturally” in their lives (i.e. respect their elders/parents, put others’ needs above their own, helping people in need, etc.) will ALSO be “justified?” However, those who “sin” (without the law) and those who KNOW the law but still sin will be “judged” according TO the law. And in Romans chapter 3 in the next chapter, Paul is saying that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross FULFILLED the law and that faith IN Jesus’s propitiation FOR our “sins” on the cross is what “justifies” us, IN ADDITION to being to a hearer AND doer of the law? In other words, salvation comes by grace through faith PLUS “faith-filled obedience (to the law?)”

26). “Paul added to and took away from the WORD in stereotypical Pharisee fashion”.

REBUKE: We know from the scriptures that THE WORD of God is JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF! Therefore, the bible (in and of itself) is considered THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! And true, various “scrolls” of written scriptures were around during the time of Paul’s time on Earth…..However, I’m not sure if what’s being alluded to here is the WRITTEN Word of God (the scriptures, in and of themselves) or if it’s specifically referring to THE WORD OF GOD (JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!) But I’m gonna assume that what’s meant here is referring to JESUS/YESHUA, THE WORD OF GOD! 

Okay, first of all, before we dive into this one, we got to keep ONE thing in mind, here and that’s THIS: Acts 15 had them deciding that PETER should be LEAD APOSTLE to THE JEWS while PAUL should be the LEAD APOSTLE to THE GENTILES! PETER and all the OTHER apostles focused their “preaching” from the “Kingdom Perspective” of Jesus Christ (the point of time while Jesus was still on the Earth) while PAUL focused HIS preaching style from the “Resurrected Christ Perspective” (AFTER Jesus had been resurrected from the dead). Therefore, there’s a slight difference of preaching style/perspective that makes it APPEAR as though the two styles CONTRADICT each other but in essence, they really don’t, for they are both TWO pieces of the SAME GOSPEL PUZZLE! 

That being said, lets dig a little deeper into this. There are definitely some places in the bible where Paul’s words “seem” to “contradict” the words of Jesus. But lets examine this further:

• In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:11, Paul uses the word “teacher” to describe various “offices” carried on within the “ekklesia”/”the church”/”the body of Christ”. 
• This “appears”, at first glance, to contradict Jesus’s words in Matthew 23:8 in which Jesus says, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren”.

“Rabbi”, ofcourse, is the Hebrew word for “teacher” or “master”. However, Jesus and Paul are talking about two totally different concepts here, when it comes to the word for “teacher!” Paul is ofcourse using the term “teacher” in a very casual, loose sense. We all have different spiritual gifts, talents and “callings” in order to help spread the gospel of salvation upon the Earth, do we not? Some people are good at art, others are good at writing or philosophy. And yet others are good at preaching, teaching, caretaking, movie producing, etc. Therefore, what PAUL is referring to in those passages is the “spiritual GIFT/TALENT” of being a teacher, or of “being called by Jesus to become a teacher/instructor of the scriptures” and NOT the actual high, religious “TITLE” of being a rabbi/teacher! 

Jesus, on the other hand, IS referring to the high, religious “title” of any “human man” but HIMSELF being a “Teacher/Rabbi”, one who does so in order to “gain notoriety/prestige”, “to be seen as wise by others”, “to be seen/admired/highly respected by men”. (Book of Matthew, Chapter 23). Notice the difference there, folks? Nevertheless, Jesus more or less commanding people NOT to be called Rabbi or Master doesn’t “negate” the spiritual gift/talent of teaching, in and of itself but rather suggests that “teachers” of the written word are supposed to be HUMBLE about it, NOT calling themselves “Master or Rabbi” and NOT BEING LIKE the “rabbis” of Jesus’s day, clamoring for the official, RELIGIOUS “title” of “teacher”/”master” and what not (talked about in Matthew 23).

In 1 Timothy 2:7, Paul calls himself “a teacher of the Gentiles”, yes. However, Paul is NOT calling himself “teacher” in the official titled religious sense of “Rabbi” or “Master” but rather in the GIFT/TALENT/CALLING of teaching sense. In that passage, Paul is letting us know that he was ORDAINED by Jesus to teach. That is, he’s telling us right there that Jesus spiritually “gifted him” with the gift/talent/calling of “teaching” the Gentiles – though Paul means it more in a humble, loving, instructional way, NOT in a “holier-than-thou”/”Pharisee” type way…..Because please remember in liu of Acts 15, that Peter was put “in charge” of “teaching” the Jews, while Paul was put “in charge” of teaching the Gentiles. Make sense? Therefore, is it REALLY unfair that Paul “called” himself as such? He was only likely reiterating what the OTHER apostles/disciples were calling him around that time.  

Okay, lets examine a few more……

In 1 Corinthians 4:15, PAUL says: “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel”

In Matthew 23:9-10, JESUS says: “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ”.

In the above passage, Paul is suggesting that there are many, many, many “teachers/preachers” of the scriptures but that NOT very many OF those “teachers/preachers” are doing it for the RIGHT spiritual motives. In other words, I believe Paul is suggesting that MOST teachers/preachers of the scriptures back in THOSE days (and perhaps even today) was/are doing it for the “notoriety” and nothing more, putting their own selfish needs FOR notoriety/recognition/validation/attention/monetary gain ABOVE the “spiritual needs” of others to HEAR the gospel in its true, unadulterated FORM – and that ONLY those teachers/preachers who FOREVER HAD/HAVE THE “LOST SHEEP” IN MIND AS THEY PREACHED and that HUMBLY put others’ spiritual needs BEFORE their very OWN can be considered LIKE a “caring father” who cares for “his children”. 

In the 2nd part of the passage, I believe Paul is just letting us know that He was ORDAINED by Jesus Christ to “teach” the gospel unto to the Gentiles – and that LIKE a father “inherits” children (either biological, adopted or step), so has HE Paul “inherited” the Gentiles THROUGH the gifting/calling OF teaching that was ORDAINED by Jesus Christ! Paul is NOT referring to himself as “Father” in the OFFICIAL RELIGIOUS TITLE SENSE OF THE WORD! Otherwise, Paul would’ve said: “Call me Father Paul”. But NOWHERE in the bible does Paul say that! 

Jesus ofcourse, in the next passage, is telling us NOT to call any human man “Father” or “Master” in the SPIRITUAL SENSE for ONLY HE and The HEAVENLY FATHER are endowed to such spiritual “titles”. Think of the Catholics today that call their priests “Father”. Think of Buddhist Monks or Mormons or Masons who call their leaders “Master”. Those practices fly DIRECTLY in contradiction to the Holy Scriptures where Jesus tells us NOT to do that very thing!  

Okay, moving on…….

In 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Paul says, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward”.

In 1 Corinthians 9:11-12, Paul says, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ“.

JESUS says in Matthew 10:7-8 “And as ye go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give”. 

In 1 Timothy 5:17-18, I do NOT believe Paul is taking about “monetary rewards” but rather, ETERNAL REWARDS! And in 1 Corinthians 9:11-12, Paul is saying that he and the other disciples have the “technical” power to “take money/material possessions from God’s people” as a sort’ve “occupational tribute”……However, Paul is saying that he and the other disciples have NOT used their power and influence to do so, since, if they DID, that would actually HINDER THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, which Paul and the other apostles DON’T want to do! And in Matthew 10:7-8, Jesus is saying that being payed to preach the gospel is NOT necessary since the gospel is FREE! This in no way, shape or form contradicts what Paul said about choosing NOT be paid for the gospel; it actually goes hand in hand with what Jesus said, concerning the matter! 

27). “Paul caused confusion and 50,000 Christian “denominations”.

REBUKE: In 1 Corinthians 1:10-15, Paul says the following: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name”. 

Here, Paul is CALLING OUT four different “factions” within the Corinthian church! So we can clearly see that Paul is AGAINST “factions!”  And sure, we could say that, at times, Paul appears somewhat to be “perplexing” in the bible at first glance. But he always expounds on what he means in later passages and further explanations. And much like Paul, Jesus was the same way! Jesus ALSO had to later explain what HE meant by things alot of times as well, as he spoke in parables!

Now…..that being said. Did Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit “purposely” design some of Paul’s sermons/letters as “minorly confusing” so that people would think and pray and meditate on them more, rather than just automatically taking them at face value from the get-go? Possibly. But we shouldn’t ever use the “Paul is confusing, therefore, he’s a false prophet” argument because please remember that JESUS HIMSELF was oftentimes “confusing” as well – SO confusing at times that even his OWN DISCIPLES didn’t know what the heck He was saying! (Matthew 24:3). 

As far as “Christian denominations” go, Paul was calling out FOUR “factions” in HIS day and DENOUNCING THEM! It was in fact, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (IN AND OF ITSELF) AND THE REFORMATION DURING THE MIDDLE AGES that produced TONS OF DENOMINATIONS! The Roman Catholic Church didn’t really take off until 1097 or so A.D., while the apostle Paul is said to have been put to death by Emperor Nero in 64-67A.D.! And the Reformation happened during the Middle Ages! 

28). “Paul caused lawlessness among so many that it is added to him until this day“.

REBUKE: Okay, this one is kind’ve weird and I fail to see what actual scriptural passages this one is referring to….? Nevertheless, one of the things that Paul PREACHED ON was lawlessness (ESPECIALLY as it pertains to THE SON OF PERDITION/THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS).

This is evident in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 in which Paul says: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God”. 

The passage goes on, verses 7-12:

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness“.

Lets take a closer look at 2 Thessalonians 2:9: “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders“.

That parallels Revelation 13:13-14 which states, “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live”.

So in other words, Paul was preaching about THE LAWLESSNESS OF THE ANTICHRIST! In summary, Paul preached ON lawlessness and the “lawless one”/”son of perdition”, but didn’t HIMSELF embody it from what I can see from the scriptures. Did Paul maybe make mistakes from time to time? Sure. But then again, ALL apostles did, even Peter! Not to mention the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, David, Moses, Noah and Jacob! NONE of those guys were perfect, therefore, why does one expect Paul to be perfect? It begs of question! The only one who IS perfect is ofcourse, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF! All others fall short of “perfection”. Because unlike Jesus Christ/Yeshua who was born WITHOUT SIN, ALL the patriarchs were born into sinful human flesh! 

As for how lawlessness could be “added” unto Paul, EVEN TO THIS DAY? I believe Paul is being confused with none other than SATAN! For ONLY Satan is credited with “lawlessness for eternity” (“even unto this day”), as it were!  

29). “Paul doesn’t pass the prophet test of Deuteronomy 13”.

REBUKE: We all know that a “false prophet” is someone who preaches “another gospel” that is different from the gospel of salvation IN Jesus Christ. However, Deuteronomy 13 is all about the Old Testament laws that stated that the Jews were supposed to immediately stone someone if that person just merely “suggested” worshipping OTHER gods!

Anyways, in Acts 14:11-18, the scriptures DO record “Pagan worshipers” attempting to worship Paul AND Barnabus as “gods”. But lets read the ENTIRE verses IN CONTEXT:

“And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, THEY RENT THEIR CLOTHES, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, ‘Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should TURN FROM these vanities unto the living God,

which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness’. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them”.

Translation? The people wanted to WORSHIP Paul and Barnabas and when Paul and Barnabas HEARD of it, they RENT their clothes. That means to say, they TORE THEIR OWN CLOTHES TO BITS! That’s what the Jews DID back in ancient biblical times when they were GRIEVED IN THEIR SOULS ABOUT SOMETHING! Therefore, both Paul and Barnabas were GRIEVED IN THEIR SOULS when they heard that the people wanted to “worship” them and acted accordingly! For if Paul and Barnabas had WANTED the people to worship them, they would’ve GLADLY accepted to be “worshiped” but they DIDN’T! They ONLY wanted the true, LIVING God (the God of the bible) to be worshiped! 

And in Acts 19:26-27, it says: “Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth”.

Translation? Paul was actually turning lots of people in Ephesus/etc. AWAY from IDOL WORSHIP/WORSHIP OF other “gods” (like “Diana”, etc.). 

So from what I can see in the scriptures, Paul in no way, shape or form encourages worship of ANY other “god”, other than JESUS CHRIST, the one true living God! So yes, Paul does INDEED pass the “prophet test of Deuteronomy 13!” 

30). “Paul’s doctrines can not be confirmed by 2-3 witnesses”.

REBUKE: I’m pretty sure what this is referring to is 2 Corinthians 13:1 which states, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established“. 

Okay, we first have to understand that there’s SEVERAL words/verses throughout the bible that have “double meaning”. And in THIS case, I believe the word “witnesses” to have double meaning. On the one hand, it could mean DIRECT HUMAN witnesses, yes. But on another hand, it could mean SCRIPTURAL WITNESSES! So for example: If there’s a passage about baptism being required and a person finds one or two other scriptures that say the same thing, that would mean there were 1-2 other “witnesses” about baptism and that the commandment of baptism would then be “established”. Does that make any sense?

And there’s quite alot of places in the bible that CONFIRM what Paul is saying. Let us examine a few……

In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Paul says: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual”.

And in Galatians 1:12, Paul says: “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ”.

In John 17:14 and John 17:17, Jesus says: “I have given them thy word……” and “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth“. Therefore, Jesus is CONFIRMING what Paul later said in Corinthians and Galatians! 

In Romans 13:9, Paul says: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”.

In Matthew 22:37-41, Jesus says: “…..Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”.

Therefore, Jesus is CONFIRMING what Paul later said in Romans 13:9! And I think the reason that Paul didn’t mention the first commandment is because by Paul’s time, it was well-established and well-determined in the “Christian” and “Jewish” community that they weren’t supposed to worship ANY other “god(s)”, and that there was only ONE true God, therefore Paul didn’t feel the need to mention it, since the people of God ALREADY KNEW?

However, in the Roman Empire Christian community, the main “sins” the people struggled with were apparently adultery, murder, stealing, lying, envy, etc. Therefore, that’s why Paul “zeroed-in” on THOSE “sins” and left others out? But then Paul gives them a summary about how all the “sins” the Roman Empire Christians struggled with was more or less summed up in ONE sentence by their FAILURE to do ONE thing: “….and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself“. 

So Jesus CONFIRMS what Paul later says on alot of things. But if JESUS HIMSELF isn’t a good enough 2nd witnesses for Paul’s doctrines, there’s more:

Galatians 2:7-10 states: “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do”.

So there, Paul was CONFIRMED by Jesus AND all the apostles! So folks, there’s your 2-3 witnesses to CONFIRM Paul’s doctrines! 

31). “James 3 seems to be directly teaching against Paul personally”.

REBUKE: I can only surmise that this is talking about James 3:13-15, which states: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish“. 

Okay, notice here that James is talking to the ENTIRE CONGREGATION when he says: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your HEARTS….” In other words, James is calling out members of the entire congregation for their “envy” and “strife”, reminding them that it’s “earthy, sensual and devilish” while ALSO reminding them that any professed “wise men” endued with knowledge AMONG THEM must show forth his spiritual wisdom “humbly” with “meekness”/a “humble spirit”. That in no way, shape or form is a direct attack on Paul but rather, a general warning to anyone in the congregation who “thinks” he’s a “wise men endued with knowledge”. If that makes any sense? For please remember that MANY in the congregation back in those days thought themselves as “learned wise men”. 

In conclusion, I don’t think James chapter 3 is in any way, shape or form talking about Paul personally but is rather talking about what a true “instructor”/”preacher” of the gospel should BE LIKE! For remember that there were MANY FALSE TEACHERS floating around during the times of Paul and the apostles! Therefore, the apostles often preached ABOUT false teachers (in general) so the congregations would know what types of things to look out for in false teachers! (Not to mention that James was ALSO warning people that they needed to “bridle their tongue” for the tongue has the power of both blessings and cursings!) 

32). “Paul says that works are “useless” for salvation, James (one of the 12) says the opposite”.

REBUKE: Paul and James actually AGREE on the merits of faith and works for salvation when read in CONTEXT……In summary, they both agree that salvation is by grace through faith plus obedience. Let us examine….

Romans 3:28 says: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” [PAUL]

James 2:24 says: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” [JAMES]

While Paul seems to be fighting against a wrong view of WORKS, James seems to be arguing against a wrong view of FAITH. James seems to be saying that we’re justified by faith AND works, while Paul seems to be saying that we’re justified by FAITH, only! However, what Paul is referring to there in the 2nd part of Romans 3:28 is “faithless works”; works that are done WITHOUT FAITH, or works that are done for all the WRONG REASONS/SPIRITUAL MOTIVES! Paul is not discounting the law or works (in and of themselves) but is rather talking about how one is justified by a faith completed in righteous works for all the RIGHT REASONS????? 

It’s interesting to note that BOTH James and Paul quote from Genesis 15 and 22 on the basis of Abraham’s FAITH. Genesis 22 talks about the point in time when Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, while Genesis 15 focuses on God’s promise to Abraham to “multiply his descendants”. Yet, in BOTH of those examples, Abraham’s FAITH is COMPLETED by “righteous works”. In Genesis 15, Abraham doesn’t just merely “believe” God’s promises but ACTS in accordance to those promises (i.e. likely telling others and Sarah about the promises of God and ACTING as though he was a man who would soon have many descendants someday, etc.) And in Genesis 22, Abraham ACTED on his faith in God by PHYSICALLY PREPARING HIS SON ISAAC FOR SACRIFICE! 

So in other words, what both Paul AND James are both saying is that RIGHTEOUS FAITH THAT IS ACTED UPON is what “justifies” a person, and NOT just faith alone or works/the law alone! Make sense? 

33). “1 John Chapter 2 and 3 seem to warn against Paul as a false teacher”.

REBUKE: Though the apostle John briefly touches upon what type of spirit constitutes an “antichrist”, (for please remember that there were many antichrist “spirits” back in those days – as well as TODAY) his main points in those chapters seemed to be about “loving your neighbor as yourself” and “keeping the commandments”. 

But let us zero on the “antichrist qualities” that John talks about in 1 John 2:18-19, and verses 22-23, respectively: 

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” [verses 18-19]

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also”.  [verses 22-23]

And also in verses 1 John 3:14-15, respectively:

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” [verses 14-15]

Okay, let us just once again zero in on ONE verse: 1 John 2-22 which states: “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son”.

Now WHERE in the bible do we see Paul DENYING Jesus or “hating someone without cause” AFTER his conversion? Anywhere? Anywhere in the New Testament a’tall? No? YES, the apostles CONSTANTLY WARNED about the “antichrist spirit” but I doubt they had a particular person in mind, other than “Simon the sorcerer”, perhaps. What’s IMPORTANT to note here is that John is very likely talking about “false teachers” IN GENERAL – He doesn’t name any off by name! If it WERE Paul that John was referring to, John would’ve no doubt NAMED HIM! John would’ve wanted to make 100% SURE that the people of God knew the “false teacher” BY NAME! 

And like I said, there is not ONE PASSAGE of scripture where Paul DENIES Jesus Christ or hates on someone (AFTER his conversion) that I can see. NOT ONE! Yes, there IS a case of where Paul doesn’t agree that a certain companion (John Mark) should come with him and Barnabas on a SECOND mission voyage (Acts 15:36-40). But nowhere did it say that Paul HATED that guy! It just implies that Paul was simply “unsure” about the guy going on the SECOND missionary trip, since, during an EARLIER mission trip (talked about in Acts 13), John Mark “abandoned” Paul and Barnabas and “returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:13). 

And what Paul was BEFORE he came to a saving knowledge in Jesus Christ DOES NOT MATTER! For IN the ressurected Christ Jesus/Yeshua, Paul was “made anew”. This echoes Isaiah 43:19 which states: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”.

34). “Paul taught that Messiah doesn’t come in the flesh, but in the “likeness” of flesh, a doctrine specifically stated to be an “antichrist” doctrine according to 1 John 4. “The likeness of men” and “the appearance as a man” are how Paul describes the Messiah”.

REBUKE: 1 John 4:1-3 states: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world”.

Okay, so in summary, John is saying that whoever does NOT confess that Jesus came “in the flesh” is that “spirit of antichrist”. So this is easy. Did Paul EVER say ANYWHERE in the bible that Jesus Christ did NOT come in the flesh? Let us examine what Paul DID say about Jesus coming – or not coming – in the flesh, shall we? Philippians 2:5-11 states: 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.

Okay, so right there in those passages, Paul is CONFESSING that Jesus Christ came in the flesh! And not only that but GLORIFYING JESUS TO THE FULLEST!

[Note: perhaps the anti-Pauliners are reading from a DIFFERENT bible version other than the King James Version? Because please remember that all the NEWER bible translations CHANGED, ERASED AND REMOVED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF WORDS, from the NEW King James Version and on! Like, believe me, I GET the temptation to read “newer” bible versions, thinking that maybe they’re easier to understand than the King James Version, which is written in a type of Shakespearean-type format. But folks: if Revelation 22:18-19 warns AGAINST adding, removing [or changing words – if you read between the lines] and there were VERY, VERY dire warnings against all those who did/do so – ESPECIALLY bible PUBLISHERS – then doesn’t it stand to reason that we should ALL stick with the LEAST ALTERATED SCRIPTURES – the King James Version? If there’s a passage you don’t understand, fast and pray about it! The Lord will reveal the answer to you! The “newer” bible versions were PURPOSELY ALTERATED TO LEAD MANY ASTRAY! Satan knows no bounds, folks!!!]

35). “Paul testifies he was kicked OUT of the church of Asia (Ephesus). Ephesus was then rewarded in the Book of Revelation for kicking out a false apostle”.

REBUKE: In Acts 19-Acts 20:13, Paul is “stationed” at Ephesus, preaching onto the Jews AND Gentiles in those quarters. He stays there for a period of THREE YEARS! He is welcomed with open arms by the disciples in Ephesus and treated like a “brother and instructor in the faith”. In fact, some of the Pagans in Ephesus were starting to get PISSED at Paul FOR Paul’s preaching against IDOLS and IDOL WORSHIP (i.e. worship of other false “gods” made of stone, silver, wood, etc., SPECIFICALLY that of “Diana”….)

And towards the END of Paul’s stay there in Ephesus, they (THE IDOL WORSHIPPING PAGANS) wanted to round him up and kill/arrest/torchure him? (Acts 19:29-31). In Acts 20:16, it says, “For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost“.

Translation? Paul was NOT kicked out of the church in Ephesus. But rather, he PLANTED the church in Ephesus. He was there for a good THREE YEARS! At the end of the three years, he wanted to try to hurry and get back to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost! And folks, lets face it, Paul likely faced FAR MORE PERSECUTION POTENTIAL IN JERUSALEM THAN IN EPHESUS! For remember that the bible calls Jerusalem as the city that STONED THE PROPHETS! While Paul wasn’t considered a  “Prophet” or “one of the 12”, he was definitely one of the Lord’s messengers. Therefore, if the PROPHETS didn’t have an easy time in Jerusalem, what makes anyone think that the Lord’s messengers and/or Lord’s people would? Think about it. 

And in the first epistle to Timothy, Paul is more or less leaving Timothy as a “deacon” in the church in Ephesus. John was also a part of the church in Ephesus. So…..if Paul was declared a “false prophet”, wouldn’t Timothy and John have been declared “false prophets” as well, since they FELLOWSHIPED with Paul? Think about it folks…..Plus wouldn’t have Timothy and John have declared Paul a false prophet BY NAME? Several of the OTHER false prophets were “named” – therefore, why wouldn’t Paul be named, if he were a “false prophet?” Think about it, folks!  

36). “Paul taught the eating of food sacrificed to idols, an act CONDEMNED in the Book of Revelation, chapter 2”.

REBUKE: I believe what’s being referred to here is 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, which states:

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend”.

Translation? Paul is acknowledging that there were TWO groups of “Christian thought” at the time, AS it pertained to eating foods sacrificed to idols. One “Christian group” saw it as a “sin”, while the other “Christian group” was more “non-chalant” about it and didn’t think eating food sacrificed to idols was that much of a “big deal” since they KNEW there was only ONE true God and since they WORSHIPED the one, true God and saw the idols as “nothing of consequence”. 

And Paul, as we know, was CONSTANTLY trying to “keep the peace” between the Jewish AND Christian communities. So in the above passage, Paul seems to agree with BOTH of them. On the one hand, he’s agreeing with the Christians who see idols as “nothing”. But on the OTHER hand, he’s agreeing with the other group as well when he tells the “idols-are-nothing-in-and-of-themselves” group that they should NOT eat food sacrificed to idols, since they might cause the “weaker” brothers and sisters from either group A or group B to “stumble”. 

So….while one could possibly argue that Paul didn’t seem (at first) to make a CLEAR 100% stance one way or the other rather Christians should eat food sacrificed to idols or not, Paul DID tell them that they (in retrospect) should NOT eat food sacrificed to idols! Therefore, Paul is actually ALIGNED with Revelation 2, which FORBIDS the eating of foods sacrificed to idols. 

[Please continue on to PART THREE for the rest….]

“Corona Virus Part Three: America In Chaos”

On May 25, 2020, an African-American guy by the name of George Floyd was essentially suffocated by a white cop’s knee during an “arrest”. Ever since then, MASS PROTESTS and RACE RIOTS happened ALL ACROSS THE U.S. (specifically, in Seattle, where the group “Black Lives Matter” tried to occupy the local police station and take over 3 blocks of the streets! The protesters named the 3-block area C.H.O.P., which stands for Capital Hill ORGANIZED Protest.)

But that wasn’t the worst of it. There was also MASS LOOTING and ARSON all across America (specifically in the big cities such as Chicago, L.A., Boston, NYC, etc.) Here are just a few of the pictures and one video:

There were SEVERAL calls from among the Progressive Left to “DEFUND THE POLICE” and the like. They wanted police officers to be replaced with “Social Workers” or “Social Justice Officers”, instead. In fact, there’s already a thing in California where criminals/felons can no longer be called criminals/felons but must instead be called a “justice-involved person” and the like. You just can’t make this stuff up, folks!

But again, it doesn’t stop there. The Minneapolis police station was SET ON FIRE in Minneapolis! Several police cars and cruisers and police vans were also SET ON FIRE! (Note: I don’t even think the “protesters” even cared if anyone was INSIDE those buildings or not, they just wanted them all DESTROYED!)

But think about this folks, really truly think about this. IF the police were defunded in that city (or ANY city, for that matter), just HOW would people be able to call 911? HOW would abused women be able to report rape or domestic abuse? HOW would an African American woman be able to call the police to report that a racist white woman (or man) REFUSED to let her leave the grocery store parking lot? HOW would a single, disabled father be able to call the police to report that his child had just been kidnapped by an unknown assailant by night or in broad daylight? 

[Many businesses, from beauty salons to pizza shops to retail stores to shopping outlets were also VIOLENTLY LOOTED. And these were businesses that were ALREADY HURTING from the “Covid-19 IMPACT”. Many of these businesses are not sure if their insurance will cover looting or not. Worst still, many U.S. businesses have now been forced to PERMANENTLY shut down due to the “double whammy” of Covid-19 and violent looting! What a sad and dreadful day in America, INDEED!]

There are also many African Americans on the police force here in America, as well. So when the protesters try to burn down police cars and buildings, and businesses, they’re not just destroying white cops’ lives/jobs/livelihoods, but they’re also destroying AFRICAN-AMERICAN COPS’ lives/jobs/livelihoods as well! Do they EVER stop to think about that? EVER? My guess is no! In fact, many of the “looted businesses” in question were owned/co-owned by African-Americans/minorities!

This seems to be a fact that many so-called “protesters” overlooked and it just makes me sad! Because just like Ben Carson, these African-Americans that owned/co-owned some of these “looted” and/or “torched” businesses and and/or that graduated from a prestigious college and/or police academy worked SO HARD to get where they are today, with business ownership and/or becoming a cop/doctor/lawyer and what not.

So to now suddenly have all of that destroyed over some “misguided anger” on the protesters’ part is just HEART-WRENCHING, GUTT-WRENCHING and SOUL-WRENCHING! Many on the police force (both African-American and non-African-American) are now QUITTING, due to the violent protesters’ behavior. So now America is slowly becoming an “unsafe” nation ALL AROUND (even to try to do one’s own grocery shopping) and that makes me nervous!

And if THAT wasn’t bad enough, the U.S. now has an UPTICK in Covid-19 cases, this “new strain” *apparently* being FAR more contagious than the original! (I don’t know though, it’s almost like somebody’s in a lab somewhere – or a group of people – actively TRYING to create a virus that’s far more contagious than the original as in, “Hhmm, we didn’t quite get the high numbers we were expecting the first time around. Maybe we can *re-engineer* the virus to be EVEN MORE contagious and deadly than before!” To ME, it almost seems “too perfect” and “planned out” or something). 

Plus, there’s even been some talk that the “protesters” are actually POLITICAL (Democrat) and are backed by Wall Street. (Remember “Occupy Wall street, anyone?) Anyways, rather or not that’s the case is besides the point, in retrospect. What IS the point is that here in America and around the world, we’ve now entered in some VERY dark times! President Trump loves America (no doubt) and has honestly been one of the best presidents since Abraham Lincoln! Pre-Covid 19, he put our economy in TOP NOTCH POSITION. He’s done more for America and women/minorities than many past presidents COMBINED!

But you won’t hear about that on the U.S. News Media (which is mostly owned by the Radical Left!) In fact, the LIES of the media is what STARTED the whole “toilet paper panic”, “price gouging wars”, “race riots/domestic terrorism”, “looting violence” TO BEGIN WITH! The left wants a SOCIALIST COUNTRY, period! They want religion and the bible and Jesus DONE AWAY WITH! They’ve secretly been in bed with Communist China for quite some time, now! And many people are now just BARELY waking up to that fact! America – for all proverbial purposes – is no longer the “America” we all know and remember from the mid-80’s to late 90’s but a “different America”, altogether!

I guess that’s WHY Trump is such a good president. He’s trying to RETURN America to its former “glory days”, BEFORE all the “Social Justice” crap tried to sink its poisonous fangs into this great “free country” and try to demolish it down to NOTHING! Doing away with the electoral college didn’t work, Stormie Daniels didn’t work, Christine Ford didn’t work. etc.

These leftist “secret Socialists” will stop at NOTHING to try to put Trump out of office! THAT, right then and there, should make the average American (rather Democrat OR Republican) sit up and take notice. WHY such hatred for this man by “Socialists”? WHY such hatred for America from within by “Socialists”? WHY such hatred for the U.S. constitution and Bill of Rights by “Socialists?” Answer: Because things such as Jesus, religion and capitalism render them POWERLESS, that’s why!

To get a more clearer picture on this, let us to turn to John 3:19-22 which says: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God“.

In other words, evil people (and those with an evil, socialist agenda) DESPISE Jesus and the bible because it EXPOSES them for what they really, truly ARE: poor, lost, demented souls that need to come back to God/salvation in Jesus before it’s too late for them! Poor, lost, evil souls that are (according to 2 Timothy 3:13) “……DECEIVING AND BEING DECEIVED“.  

Luke 16:15 states: “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God“.

The 2nd part of Luke 16:15 always get me: “For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God“. What, today, is “highly esteemed among men?” Answer: SOCIAL JUSTICE/SOCIALISM! Many average Americans today (ESPECIALLY young Millennial Americans) think that “Socialism is so great” etc. But IS it? Just ask the people of Venezuela or China or Cuba about just how they feel about “Socialism/Communism”. And if they were really, truly honest with you (and felt “safe enough” to BE truly honest with you), they’d tell you that the REALITIES of Socialism do NOT equal the “promises” of Socialism. They’d tell you that Socialism sounds great on paper but is HORRIBLE in reality!

In fact, let me take this one step further. WHY is it that so many people from “Communist” or “Socialist” or “Dictatorship” countries are immigrating here to America BY THE DROVES? Answer: Because we are NOT a “Socialist/Communist” country and they’re trying to ESCAPE SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM! They want to live in the “Free World” (i.e. America and other Westernized nations). In fact, there’s even been a few immigrants, newly immigrated to America, that are “perplexed” and “astounded” by what appears to be America’s “descent” towards Socialism! For if AMERICA ever turned into a Socialist country – they reason – wherever shall they go? Because for them, America was one of their last beacons of hope to try to live in the “free world”.

Trump is basically trying to fight SOCIALISM and MEDIA LIES at EVERY WHICH LEVEL! In fact, Trump had the police TAKE BACK C.H.O.P.! https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/protests/seattle-police-dismantle-chop-zone-after-more-than-three-weeks/281-07ad6c26-5e66-4b6a-9739-b4cf4a492c2b

That’s WHY the Democratic Socialists hate him SO MUCH! They are obsessed with POWER and want to try to do everything underneath the sun in order to GAIN and then later STAY in power (even going so far as to LIE to the American people and to the WORLD!) And the Democratic Socialists HATE the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights since those two documents are about as ANTI-SOCIALIST as a document can get! “Freedom, liberty and justice for all”.

But do pray tell. How is it “just” if an African-American owned store gets looted and destroyed by FELLOW African-American and/or white “protesters?” How is it “just” if a white American is made to feel “guilt” over their face when A) everyone’s ancestors are all long dead and gone by now and B) Their being “born” white doesn’t hamper a “Ben Carson Jr.” or “Little Miss Alveda King” from becoming successful if they WANT to be? A young black child born in the Bronx/ghetto can either do good in school and make something of themselves or join a gang. An individual person/group of people being “born” white has absolutely NOTHING to do with an African-American’s and/or minority’s INDIVIDUAL LIFE CHOICES! We’re a product of our own thoughts/actions, NOT our color or environment!

In fact, with REVERSE DISCRIMINATION against whites, I say that ALL minorities now have it better NOW in America (and in other Westernized nations) than ever before! In fact, Trump has done more for African Americans, Asians, and Latinos/Hispanics than Obama or Bush Jr. ever dreamed of! He’s produced more jobs for minorities, built more schools in poorer neighborhoods, you name it. (I’ll admit I wasn’t quite sure at first how Trump would do as a president. He’s not very “presidential” on Twitter and insults alot of people, true. But in the grand scheme of things, what’s worst? A president who’s blunt with other leaders/countries or one who seems weak and submissive as HECK? Think about it! Our country has FAR more chance getting attacked with a “weak” president rather than a “strong” and “bold” one!)

So it makes me very sad that most of the minorities in this country are being “played” by the Democratic Socialist Party who only “pretends” to care about them in order to get their votes and keep them DEPENDENT on the government! The Democrats DO NOT WANT African Americans and minorities to be “successful” (financially, etc.). Why? Because then it would put the Democrats out of power, that’s why. AMERICANS MUST LEARN TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE, HERE!

“Black Lives Matter”. How ironic. Considering that Margaret Sanger (founder of Planned Parenthood) was originally “friends” (secret lovers, maybe?) with Adolf Hitler and was HIGHLY into “Eugenics” and called black children “human weeds that needed to be exterminated”, along with the fact that Planned Parenthood was INVENTED with the original aim of African-American and/or minority genocide (specifically of black babies), even going so far as to putting an abortion clinic in many poor, black neighborhoods, I personally can’t see how ANY African-American can support Planned Parenthood in ANY way, shape, form or capacity or even how they can come up with the slogan “Black Lives Matter” when they do absolutely NOTHING to try to save BLACK BABIES LIVES! (Note: EVERY child is precious in the site of God/Jesus/Yeshua!!!!)

But again, ALL LIVES MATTER and I’m not afraid to say that! ALL LIVES MATTER! John 3:16 in the bible CONFIRMS THAT FACT! Since when have we started “quantifying” in today’s American “liberal” society about WHICH lives matter and which ones don’t, apparently? How sad that we live in such a society today where the appreciation of LIFE is DIMINISHED!

How sad that we now live in an America where the Euthanasia lobby can now use people like Britney Maynard to be their poster child for their ungodly cause! “Death machines” and “Death pods”. I don’t even think the ancient cities of Sodom & Gomorrah would have come up with that, even! Plus I won’t EVEN mention about the hellishness of abortion, the sale of baby body parts or even the fact that aborted baby cells are now in our U.S. “vaccines” and some of our U.S. food supply under the guise of “flavor enhancers”. YUCK!

The food companies claim that they don’t use ACTUAL aborted baby cells to “enhance” the taste of their products but only that they used “a copy” of aborted fetal cells. A “copy” does NOT the cell OK make! In other words, a “copy” of the cell is STILL the cell because it CAME from the cell, it was NOT created from scratch, and STILL HAS the cell’s original components in it! (For more information, please go to the following website: https://www.hli.org/resources/products-that-use-aborted-fetuses/)

Do you get what I’m saying here, folks? That would be taking a pig cell, copying the pig cell, then trying to say: “This isn’t actually a pig cell”. What? SERIOUSLY? Do they REALLY think we’re all THAT stupid or something? Do they think we’re actually gonna believe their LIES? Just how STUPID do some of them think we Americans are? It makes me wonder, too: do Britain, Canada, Mexico and/or South American, Africa, Europe and OTHER nations do that sort’ve thing, too with THEIR food supply? I don’t want to know!!!!!

And if that’s not bad enough, just when they were starting to re-open things and some people were starting to get their jobs back, many so-called NEW cases of “Corona virus” are now being reported in the news media! (Note: Something very strange is going on, there….?) Rather or not it’s an actual “real” virus or not, I can only speculate (but just for the record, I’m pretty sure it IS a real virus – a virus that China used to EXPERIMENT ON THE HUMAN RACE WITH) – I DO think that some of the numbers are purposely being INFLATED in order to destroy Trump.

And not only that, but I believe that China and BSL-4 labs all across the U.S. are PURPOSELY releasing “viruses” on the human populace. Cause how else are they ever gonna get their “human trials” in? No SANE human would EVER volunteer to have a “potentially deadly virus” put into them, now, would they? That’s WHY these high-powered labs have to unleash their “deadly viruses” on UNSUSPECTING HUMAN SUBJECTS *AGAINST* THEIR WILL! (And just when I thought that the Big Pharma/Pharmaceutical Industry couldn’t even ANY eviler!) 

I believe the Democrats and Socialists are behind the Rogue Shadow Government of the U.S. and the world. I believe that China is COLLABORATING with the worldwide “Shadow Government” (which I believe is headed by the “rogue operatives” in the U.S.) to try to “wipe mankind out” with as many viruses, plagues, riots, economic meltdowns, *false natural disasters*, etc. that they possibly can.

Why? Because of their “false enlightenment clause”, their belief that “order comes out of chaos”. In other words, they believe they MUST create as much chaos in the world as humanly possible in order to “make the one world government leader” appear on the world stage. In other words, they’re trying to bring as much chaos as they possibly can as fast as they can so that THE ANTICHRIST will come to rule the world. And we know from the bible and pages of Holy Writ that The Antichrist is none other than SATAN HIMSELF – INCARNATE! But he won’t look, talk, or ACT like the Antichrist – he’ll speak and look and sound like an angel from heaven! And ALL those who don’t already put their faith, trust and love into JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE *WILL* be deceived by Satan/The Antichrist! 

[But I digress, here. There’s a HUGE difference between the “Shadow Government” of the U.S. and TRUMP’S GOVERNMENT/ADMINISTRATION. I believe that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to STOP the Worldwide “Shadow Government” and FREE not just Americans but people all around the world from the “Tyranny” of “Socialism!”]. Oddly and ironically enough, there’s even some evangelical Christians out there that are suggesting that Trump himself could be the Antichrist! While it’s true that SOME evangelicals look up to Trump as they normally would Jesus, I don’t think Trump is the Antichrist!

For one, Trump didn’t even act that happy when he first learned he “won” as president back in 2016. He took the job rather hesitantly. Obama, on the other hand, had been chomping at the bit to be president when HE ran for president awhile back. And if Obama ended up being the “vice president” of Joe Biden, he could very easily skirt the law and become president once more. It could happen, folks.

In my mind, Obama checks off many things on the Antichrist list. He’s good-looking, was very popular, had the power of persuasion, and all the nations of the world just seemed to LOVE him! Now, that doesn’t indefinitely identify him as the A.C., but he certainly has a few characteristics of what could possibly by the A.C.’s M.O., no doubt. Trump, on the other hand, according to the news media anyways, seems to be very UNPOPULAR. And the bible says that the Antichrist WILL BE LOVED BY MANY (because the MAJORITY of people on the Earth – say 85% or more? – won’t even KNOW The Antichrist is the Antichrist!) Joe Biden, on the other hand, clearly has Dementia, and so if the Democrats get back into power, it’s all over, folks! Because whoever Joe Biden’s running mate is, THAT person would be president and if it’s a Democrat, THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE, FOLKS!

This November 2020 election is probably THE MOST important election ALL THROUGHOUT HISTORY, even more important than the U.S. Presidential Election of 2016 was! Because the results of THIS upcoming election will CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY (not just for the U.S. but for THE ENTIRE WORLD!) In fact, here in the U.S., they are now asking people to get what’s called a “RealID” if they want to be able to fly or enter into any federal building. And it’s not “mandatory”…..yet anyways……it’s only OPTIONAL at THIS point……..But someday here in this country, I believe it will be MANDATORY….

There’s talk going back and forth (here in America, as well as in other countries across the world) that there will soon be “various Covid-19 vaccines”. But the so-called “vaccines” and “fast-acting tests” have been slow-coming and low-promising. I believe the REASON there are now so-called “vaccine delays” is because the American public and the rest of the world has now (in my eyes anyways) TURNED on Big Pharma/the Pharmaceutical Industry, and so they know there won’t be much profit now in rolling out vaccines that THEY know won’t be effective and that they KNOW that most people will REFUSE to get! There would simply be no money in it! Plus I also believe that’s the reason that “RealID” has been pushed back as well, from “mandatory” to “optional” (because of the “push back” from the Conservative, God-Fearing, God-Loving American public!)

I believe when they noticed that most people in America weren’t wearing masks and were starting to go back to life as normal (whatever “normal” was before Covid hit), “they” (the shadow government) panicked and decided they needed to try to make Americans FEAR again! So how did they do that? Simple. Inflated the numbers once more. Which then caused EVEN MORE job layoffs, “no cash” policies, and EVEN MORE lockdowns/stay at home orders! The shadow government’s agenda got “delayed” due to the movement of American conservative groups such as “Mass Resistance”. So now they want to quickly FORCE their agenda through by ANY MEANS POSSIBLE!

Covid-19 is such an interesting name, to say the least. What does the 19 mean? Does that mean this is the 19th virus that they (shadow government) have tried to secretly UNLEASH upon mankind? I’d like to know where the number 19 comes from. Another interesting juncture is George Floyd’s last words: “I can’t breathe”. And considering that’s one of the MAJOR symptoms of Covid-19, is there some sort of strange connection there? Is the shadow government (through the ungodly chain of events surrounding Mr. Floyd’s death) trying to send Americans (and those around the world) a message that soon they will CRUSH THE RESISTANCE and SUFFOCATE IT TO DEATH? It stands to reason! 

The book of 2nd Timothy says that IN the last days, hearts would grow cold and the bible certainly wasn’t kidding! Daily news headlines are just TEAMING with stuff that happen to people for no good reason or for really petty reasons! People killing each other over a pair of Nike shoes or child custody disputes. A man walking his daughter through a crosswalk in NY and then getting SHOT DEAD, right in front of his daughter! I can’t imagine! And what happened to George Floyd was absolutely TERRIBLE, no doubt! It should have never happened! I now feel like we live in such a world today where nothing is safe, nobody is safe. ANYWHERE. I guess these whole riots and police car burnings have now given me some sort of PTSD or something.

In most U.S. states, most people are now required to wear a mask in ALL public places. And it’s kind’ve depressing to look around and see everyone wearing a mask! It makes me yearn for some sort of time machine where we could go back 6-7 months ago before we ever heard word of this “virus” and “go back to normal”. But see folks, that’s just the thing. There IS no time machine out there capable of doing that (as far as anyone knows, anyways). And secondly, The Abomination of Desolation will occur sooner than we all think! For it will come on a day that most people are NOT expecting! I honestly think that the event known as “The Abomination of Desolation” will be during the winter on a Sabbath! Why?

Because Matthew 24: 20-22 has Jesus saying the following: “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened“.

In other words, (in my mind, anyways), Jesus seems to be “hinting” that “The Abomination of Desolation” WILL happen during Winter ON the Sabbath! But that makes perfect sense. Satan wouldn’t want to desecrate a non-holy day cause what would be the point? Satan instead would want to abominate the Lord’s holy temple on a day of the week that IS sacred/holy/important to Jesus and that day would ofcourse be the 7th day biblical Sabbath! 

Jesus/Yeshua (as far as I know anyways) is not typically known for “sarcastic speculation”. He likes to say things straight-forward, even in parables. Now….could Jesus have been actually speaking metaphorically there? As in, using “winter” to specify a time in our lives and in this world where our “hearts have grown cold”? Possibly. But I’ve always gotten the personal feeling that Jesus/Yeshua was being quite LITERAL there and that He was simply letting us know that The Abomination of Desolation would occur during the Winter on the Sabbath. However, that doesn’t mean we should then “take it easy” during the Summer, Spring or Fall, as Jesus could just as easily theoretically return to the Earth during any of THOSE 3 seasons as he could during the Winter, as well!

For many on the skeptic or unbelieving side, their primal question these days seem to be: “WHERE IS YOUR GOD *NOW?* HOW COME YOUR GOD DIDN’T STOP CORONA VIRUS?” and the like.

2 Peter 3:4 says: “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation”.

There’s many, many, MANY skeptics out there these days. Not just of Jesus’s existence, ALONE, but also of his soon 2nd return to the Earth! When Jesus came to Earth the FIRST time, he came to the Earth through a virgin birth in order to provide a way for mankind to receive SALVATION! But when Jesus Christ returns to the Earth for the SECOND time during the Last Days, he will return with WRATH and a 2-edged SWORD towards all those who REJECTED HIM:

Luke 18:8 says “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Matthew 24:30 “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen”

Luke 12:40 “ Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not”

Matthew 24:44 “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh”

REVELATION 19:15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”

Therefore, in all of those bible passages, Jesus is warning us that we need to be ready for his soon return to the Earth during these “Last Days”. When he came to Earth for the FIRST time, he came for PEACE and SALVATION. But when he comes to Earth for the SECOND time, he will come with GREAT WRATH towards all those who REJECTED HIM or that have “put him on the back burner” (i.e. “lukewarm/backslidden Christianity”).

But RIGHT BEFORE Jesus returns to the Earth, there will be an event called THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION. This is when MOST biblical scholars believe that THE ANTICHRIST will “set himself up in the Temple of God and declare that He is God”. Most Christians believe that the “Temple of God” is referring to what will possibly be the newly rebuilt 3rd Jewish Temple. And that actually makes sense since there are OTHER biblical passages that are telling believers in Jerusalem to “flee to the mountains” once they SEE the “Abomination of Desolation” happening. So if Jewish believers in Jesus are gonna “flee to the mountains”, it would make rational sense if there was an ACTUAL place or building and/or person they were fleeing FROM!

Because for every TRUE thing of God, there has to be a COUNTERFEIT; Satan LOVES counterfeits. And since Jesus was a LITERAL Son of God, that would only mean that Satan would also have to have HIS counterfeit “Son” (The “Antichrist”) as well. And just like Jesus was a LITERAL entity, I believe that THE ANTICHRIST has to be a literal entity, too! Only, I highly believe that the Antichrist will be a super-intelligent A.I.! Why? Because mankind was made in the IMAGE OF GOD and Satan HATES the image of God! So a human cyborg or a super-intelligent A.I. made of synthetic skin made to look and sound human but yet, is NOT truly human, falls exactly along the line of reasoning that Satan will likely counter-create something that goes AGAINST the true image of God!

But regardless of what The Antichrist IS (and is NOT), we are THAT MUCH CLOSER to “Mark of the Beast” and/or “Mark of the Beast SOCIETY” (and more specifically, Mark of the Beast GLOBAL Society) and that’s a pretty scary and sobering thing, folks! Why? Because people just aren’t prepared (even many so-called “Christians”). We’re all stumbling around these days so worried about jobs, the economy, and Corona “virus”, that many of us aren’t even truly thinking about our SALVATION these days! Lets be brutally honest for a moment here, folks! In the last 30 days or so, how many of us (myself included) have truly thought about our salvation and spreading the gospel? OUCH! Right? We’ll are so caught up in the FEAR of Covid-19 that many of us have lost our focus!

Oddly, there’s only ONE letter change between “MaSk” and “MaRk”. Right now, masks are not 100% required but are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, in most places. But trust me, it’ll only be a matter of time before masks are REQUIRED. (No doubt a way for the “Shadow Government” to “MASK” their true objectives).

They might even start this new movement where, if you get the “vaccine”, you won’t have to wear a mask. But now, they’re saying that the vaccines aren’t even effective (perhaps they’ve never, truly had the vaccine all along? Just a thought? Or perhaps they do but they just want to drive up the pharmaceutical prices just to make more money? Martin Shkreli, anyone?) Regardless, this whole “wear a mask so you don’t get Corona virus” thing and “mass lockdowns” are TESTING GROUNDS for “Mark of the Beast system”. They’re testing humanity to try to see just how READY we are for a “one world government” and “mark of the Beast society”.

So believe me, folks. If there was EVER a time where we need to TRULY repent of our sins and TOTALLY 100% rely upon Jesus/Yeshua and Jesus/Yeshua ALONE for salvation, it’s NOW/TODAY! For tomorrow is NOT guaranteed (as individuals, as a nation, and AS a global world!) We’re living in the Last Days and things are ONLY gonna get WORSE! At first, I had minor hope. I thought maybe – just maybe – that “America” (or should I say, what’s left of it, anyways) could “come back from this”. But now I don’t think that there’s ANY way that America “will come back from this”, no matter WHO is elected for president this November! For EVEN if Trump won, the left has just become TOO radical and TOO violent to fully withstand 4 more years of Trump!

The left will stop at NOTHING until they get what they want – total power, control and domination over the people of America and the world! In fact, IF they get their way and the Democrats regain power this November, not even MINORITIES will have any “rights” once the Democrat socialists get through with them! In fact, America would turn into a Socialist country overnight if the Democrats won and all the “freedoms” which we now cherish (freedom of expression, freedom of religion, private property ownership, freedom of purchase) will be STRIPPED of ALL citizens and not just “some”.

Look at China’s “Social Credit Score” system, for instance. A Chinese citizen is “graded” by how well they “support” communism. “Oh, you only support communism a little bit? Here’s 5 points”. “Oh, you support communism full-heartedly? Here’s 500 points”. But do pray tell. Don’t you think EVEN the Chinese citizen who gets the “500 points” is not still gonna be secretly living in fear AT ALL TIMES for fear of “slipping up” even just a little tiny bit? It stands to reason! Now imagine if we had something like that here in “America”. Imagine if the Democrats regained power and treated EACH U.S. citizen with the “China’s social credit score” attitude of: “If you support the Progressive/Socialist agenda, you’ll do well in our new society. Stray from it and…….you just might get killed”.  Imagine the IMPACT that would on the average U.S. citizen!

EVEN if Trump wins as president AGAIN, it IS only a matter of time before the “radical left” regains power. In fact, the bible SAYS they will eventually regain power (unfortunately). And IF and WHEN they do, know that Jesus’s return (as well as the event known as “The Abomination of Desolation”) is NEAR! Therefore, I will end this post and Corona virus “series” with THIS:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” – Matthew 3:2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Achieve The Fruits of the Holy Spirit:

According to Galatians 5: 22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.

Okay, now what does this mean, some of you may be asking? When it says SPIRIT, just WHAT type of “spirit” is the passage talking about? I’m glad you asked! The “Spirit” being referenced/referred to in the above bible passage is talking about the HOLY SPIRIT! Now…..for those of you unsure who or what the HOLY SPIRIT is, let me tell you: it is the SPIRIT OF GOD! That’s why it’s called “Holy”.

Okay, some of you might still be confused so I’ll try to explain it a bit better. Look at the “scientific properties” of WATER, for instance (also known as H20). It is the SAME ELEMENT but has 3 different properties (solid/frozen, boiling/steam, and liquid). So it is with God the Heavenly Father and Jesus. It’s the SAME GOD but it’s the same God represented in THREE DIFFERENT FORMS, if that makes any sense?

BEFORE Jesus appeared on the Earth in his FLESHLY incarnate form (by means of a virgin birth) he appeared during the times of the Old Testament in his PRE-FLESH-INCARNATE-FORMS (also known as “Christophanies” – Google it). He was the “King of Salem” that brought out bread and wine to refresh Abram after he won the battle against foreign kings, He shut the mouths of the Lions in the Lions Den, He with the “Son of Man” who was with Daniel’s 3 friends in the Fiery Furnace of Nubuchadnezzar, He was the “Angel of the Lord” besides Joshua at the Battle of Jericho, He was the one who parted the Red Sea, He was the “Burning Bush Not Consumed” that Moses saw, you get the picture…..

Therefore, during the Old Testament times, there was no need for the Holy Spirit because Jesus was there (in PRE-FLESH-INCARNATE form). And during the times of the New Testament times WHILE Jesus was on the Earth, there was no need for the Holy Spirit because Jesus was THERE in fleshly, incarnate form!

In fact, Jesus explained this in further detail to his disciples in John 16:7 when he said the following:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you”

And in Luke 24:49, Jesus is JUST ABOUT to ascend back up to heaven….But not before he leads his disciples up into Bethany and lays his hands on them to bless them:

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high”

However, it wasn’t until AFTER Jesus left the Earth for good (following his Ascension to Heaven), that the disciples RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT/HOLY GHOST:

And please remember: The Holy Spirit of God is the Spirit that testifies of HIM and His Word! It’s the Spirit that’ll let you KNOW things like: “Yes, this is of God” or “No, this is NOT of God!”

In other words, it’s a Spirit of JOY/SPIRITUAL COMFORT and/of SPIRITUAL CONVICTION/DISCERNMENT! (Note: It is called The Holy Ghost AND The Holy Spirit, depending on what bible version you’re reading).

ACTS 2:1-13:

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine”.

Okay, so in a nutshell, the disciples and many others are sitting around in a room, waiting for the “gift” of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost. And this was about 40 days AFTER Jesus ascended back up to heaven through the clouds to be on the right hand side of God the Heavenly Father.

And suddenly, a WHIRLWIND comes into the room and the disciples start SPEAKING on inspiration from the Holy Spirit! And there were Jews from ALL AROUND gathered there at Jerusalem! There were Greek Jews, Arabian Jews, Asian Jews, etc. And they each spoke their own languages (INCLUDING the disciples of Jesus gathered there at Jerusalem!)

So try to imagine for a moment what CONFUSION that must’ve caused them when they HEARD the disciples speaking, but yet, HEARING THEIR OWN LANGUAGE being spoken! In other words, when Peter was up there on podium speaking Galilean (his native language), the Asian Jews didn’t hear Galilean, they heard their own ASIAN LANGUAGE being spoken. The Greek Jews heard Peter speaking in GREEK, the Arab Jews heard Peter speaking in Arabic or Farsi. You get the picture?

And some of the “diaspora Jews” there thought that fact was SO outrageous, that the disciples “must be drunk with new wine”. Even though that might seem like an “innocent” accusation by TODAY’S STANDARDS, back THEN in ancient biblical standards, that was one of THE WORST things you could say or accuse about a person, ESPECIALLY a disciple or one of high-religious-ranking! So imagine how Peter must’ve felt, standing in front of the all those people, being accused of such things!

Yet, in Acts 2:14-21, Peter gives this BOLD RESPONSE:

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”.

By then, the Jews that had accused Peter and the other disciples of being “drunk with new wine” had realized their mistake and were amazed at the BOLDNESS of Peter in the declaration and sat up and took notice!

But anyways, there’s the whole story and backstory concerning the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost. So now that you know WHAT and WHOM the Holy Spirit is, we’re gonna go back to the passage in Galatians:

Galatians 5: 22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.

In THIS instance, “fruit” doesn’t mean LITERAL fruit. It means SPIRITUAL FRUIT. Or in other words, what types of RESULTS are you getting from your spiritual walk in Christ? Are people getting saved? Are people being given information between right and wrong? Do most people consider you a patient, kind person? You get the idea.

But to further break down the process of the “fruits of the Spirit”, I’m going to personally define each one and then give you hints and tips on how to personally BECOME the epitome of each one on the list! 😉

Remember, the Galatians 5:22-23 passage goes directly in line with Matthew 17:16-20, which states:

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”

Remember the passage in Matthew 21:18-20 where Jesus is hungry and happens across a fig tree that has leaves on it and LOOKS LIKE it has fruit on it but doesn’t have any fruit on it, so Jesus CURSES THE FIG TREE? That is a foreshadowing of all the “fake Christians” that Matthew 7:21-23 says do the following:

“Not every one that saith unto me, ‘Lord, Lord‘, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?‘ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity“.

Okay, here’s how to NOT be one of those “fake Christians” who end up ETERNALLY CURSED just like the fig tree that LOOKED like it had fruit from the outside but was ROTTEN from the inside: EMPLOY AND EMBODY *THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT* (AKA THE *GOOD FRUITS*)….

Galatians 5: 22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law“

Love – an intense feeling of deep affection. (We can ALL love our friends and family. That’s easy. Even our enemies do the same. But how well do we LOVE Jesus? How well do we love OTHER HUMAN BEINGS that are NOT our friends and family? That’s what Jesus means when he says in Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”.)

Joy – a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. (Do you obey the Lord because you feel like you begrudgingly HAVE to? Or do you obey the Lord Jesus Christ because you WANT to, out of SHEER LOVE and RESPECT for the Savior? Do you feel JOY while obeying his commandments? Do you feel JOY in his Spirit? If not, you’re doing something wrong and you better pray to Jesus quick to find out what the something IS!)

Peace – freedom from war/disturbance, remaining calm, feeling tranquil/content/relaxed. (Do you feel at peace with your day to day life? If so, why not? Is there something you’re doing wrong in your walk with Christ? If so, FIX IT! And if you DO feel “at peace” with your day to day life in Christ, that’s a good sign, it means you’re on the path that Jesus WANTS you on, in life. If you feel “peace” about a move, a job change, a marriage, it means that Jesus is behind it. Note: If you DON’T feel peace about something, or don’t feel “at peace” WITH Jesus, there’s something wrong! Better examine it while you still have a chance!)

Longsuffering – having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. (Do you CAVE at the first sign of pressure? Do you immediately get into an argument if someone hurts you? Or do you try to reanalyze and reassess the situation……..maybe they didn’t mean to hurt you? Maybe they were having a bad day?)

Gentleness – the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. (Think of children, pets, and old people. Do you hold the door open for old people or help them put things in their shopping basket? Are you gentle and patient with pets and children when they act up? Are you gentle with your spouse if you disagree with them about something?) 

Goodness – the quality of being morally good or virtuous (Please remember that Jesus AND the bible define virtue and “moral good” as those people who SUBMIT to Jesus and his biblical laws! For a person can’t be a “good person” without Christ!)

FAITH – complete trust or confidence in Jesus and/or his promises, even if not (yet) seen (Hebrews 11:6 says: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”).

Meekness – being submissive, humble and agreeable (but not sinning when doing so – i.e. being “submissive” to God’s Word, not blaming Jesus or others for what’s wrong in your life or in your job, etc.)

Temperance – self-control, abstinence from strong alcoholic drink and/or “all non-sinful things in moderation?” (i.e. eating a “moderate” amount of food instead of over-eating, only watching an hour of TV every night instead of all night, only being on the computer for an hour each night, instead of all night, etc.?)

Self-Application Study Guide Questions:

1). Have you ever failed to show “LOVE” to someone? Who? Why? How? What can you do from now on to make sure it doesn’t happen again? How have you felt before when someone else refused to show “love” to you in a given situation?

2). Who or what do you find your “JOY” in? Why? Would Jesus approve of the said thing or person you find “joy” in? Why or why not? What stories from the bible (if any) give you joy? Why? How can you INCORPORATE some of that joy into your OWN life? Do you feel JOY at the mere mention of Jesus and/or salvation? If not, why not? Are you jealous of other Christians who seem to have much “joy” in their lives, despite all the calamities they face? If so, that’s a good sign for there IS such a thing as “righteous envy” and Jesus can take that “righteous envy” of yours and use it for HIS GLORY! So fret not!

3). Do you feel a sense of PEACE in your life, concerning Jesus and and the gospel? Why or why not? If not, whom or what is holding you back from feeling that sense of peace in Jesus in your life? What steps can you take to recapture that peace in Jesus that was stolen from your life from said thing or person? Note: If someone has stolen your “peace in Jesus”, then that means you’re doing something wrong! That either means you’re either caving in to the pressures of persecution, you happen to be dating or married to a non-Christian or you’ve allowed someone to slowly creep in and rob you of your faith! The only way to have PEACE IN JESUS is to REPENT OF ALL SIN *TO* JESUS and get back on the “battlefield of life!”

4). Remember the parable of the sower? What happens when persecution hits ya? Do you get scared and give up and go running for the hills? Do you back off from your faith and/or your preaching a bit, hoping that the persecution will die down soon? Do you stress and buckle underneath all the pressure you’re under from school, home, work, etc.? Or do you face whatever “trials” come your way head-on, KNOWING that Jesus is with you? If you tend to run away from trials and tribulations, WHY? And what steps can you do to change that from now on? Did you know that even the demons themselves tremble and believe in Jesus? So why don’t YOU?

Longsuffering simply means the ability to remain calm NO. MATTER. WHAT. In other words, a group of people might be spiritually persecuting you. Do you give up and go running away (i.e. change jobs?) Or do you face the persecution head-on, knowing that no matter what, Jesus is with you and they (the persecutors) won’t win? Please remember that our faith is tested by FIRE (i.e. trials and tribulations). So if you can’t stand in spiritual battle NOW, how ever will you be able to stand in spiritual battle later, when the “heat of persecution” INTENSIFIES?

5). Gentleness – How many of us have gotten occasionally impatient with small children, pets or old people? Our young children are acting up, our pet is acting up and not minding us, the old person ahead of us in line at the checkout is taking FOR-EVEEERRRR to pay……Nearly all of us, at some point or another, if we’re being completely honest. But the “fruit” of gentleness just means we need to be PATIENT and GENTLE at ALL TIMES (even during the times when we’re about to LOSE patience). That’s why Jesus says to anger but NOT to sin IN our anger. Trust me, it’s an acquired learning exercise. What types of situations have you been impatient with a young child, a pet or an old person? Why? How? What types of situations in the future can you utilize to be PATIENT and GENTLE with small children, pets and old people?

6). Goodness – Funny how almost every single human on the planet would (in their own mind) define themselves as a “good person”. Because hey, no-one really likes admitting their own failures and shortcomings, am I right? It makes them feel so……..small……like such a “terrible” human being with flaws……..with………sin……….with…….oh my gosh….(gasp!) IMPERFECTIONS! However, the bible (and Jesus) define a good person by how well they RECEIVE the gospel AND apply it to their LIFE!

Have you ever been unkind to someone? Why? How? Did being unkind TO that someone help or hurt the situation? Did you feel guilty at all afterwards, on the inside? Why or why not? We must be “GOOD” (that means be KIND) to ALL people, according to the bible! It’s a part of “loving our neighbor as ourselves”. Noah was defined in the bible as a good man, a righteous man who always tried to OBEY the Lord. And no doubt OBEYING the Lord (on Noah’s part) very likely meant loving OTHER PEOPLE as he loved the Lord and HIMSELF!

7). **FAITH** – Hebrews 11:6 says: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

For those people who have actually SEEN Jesus during a Near-Death Experience, faith is nearly automatic! But for those who have NOT seen Jesus during an N.D.E., faith is a little more hard to come by, I know. How much faith in Jesus (if any) do you have? Why? If not alot, why is that? Do you think the universe came to be by mere accident? Do you think that colored illustrated books just produce, write, illustrate and publish themselves?

There is SO MUCH EVIDENCE for Jesus and his existence (outside of N.D.E.’s AND outside of Christian sources, even) that it’s not even funny! In the Old Testament, Saul is told that Jesus prefers FAITH over sacrifice! Also, it was Abraham’s FAITH that was accounted to him for all righteousness! If you don’t have faith or alot of faith, you can always PRAY TO HAVE FAITH! 😉

Your key always opens up the lock to your house/apt., your microwave always turns on when you hit the power button, the TV remote always turns off when you turn it off. Therefore, if you have faith in inanimate things, why don’t you have more faith in Jesus, the one true LIVING GOD? What steps can you take to increase your faith? The bible says that faith comes by hearing and that hearing comes by READING THE WORD (The Bible itself!) So what steps can you take to increase your reading of the bible daily?

8). Meekness – How submissive to Jesus and God’s Written Word (the bible) are you? Do you find yourself “questioning certain parts” or “disagreeing with others?” Do you find yourself “questioning God” or certain biblical characters on a continual basis? If so, why? And/or do you find yourself feeling “superior” to other Christians for all your biblical-based bible knowledge or principles? Why? How?

Do you occasionally find yourself questioning Jesus’s orders? (i.e. “But Jesus………this doesn’t make any sense to me! Why should I print an Op-Ed letter to you when that seems totally crazy to me? I don’t get it. Until I understand why, I’m not doing it!”) Are you “meek” (submissive and humble) towards Jesus, the bible and others? If not, why? What steps can you take to learn to be more meek and humble? Jesus says the meek and the humble SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH (i.e. New Jerusalem talked about in Revelation 21-22!)

9). Temperance – Do you have “modesty?” “Self-control?” If not, why? Whom or what are you addicted to? Why? How? How does this “addiction” play into the fact that the “fruit” of the Spirit REQUIRES us to have “self-control”? Can you see how said “addiction” is taking you AWAY from Jesus and the gospel of Salvation?

If the serving on the package says 1 cup, do you eat 5 cups serving instead? If so, why? The bible condemns drunkenness. Do you ever get drunk? If so, WHY? In my mind, this does NOT just apply to “addictions” like alcohol, drugs, sex, videogames, partying, food and the like. It also means WITH OUR WORDS! Are we able to “self-control” our WORDS? Are we able to “self-control” our ANGER and our ACTIONS?

How many times have you lost “self-control” over something or someone? Why? How? Do you see HOW and WHERE the LACK of “self-control” came from? What steps can you take to overcome said LACK of self-control? With time, prayer, patience and training, YOU can train yourself to have more “self-control” and “self-restraint”.

I hope this has helped someone today know how to apply the 9 FRUITFUL GIFTS of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost to their lives! Thanks and have a great evening! 😉

 

 

 

 

HE IS RISEN!!! :-)

The whole entire CORE of Christianity rests on rather or not Jesus rose from the dead! Well, SEVERAL sources (both Christian and non-Christian) say he DID:

https://factreal.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/nonchristians-prove-jesus-resurrection/

**SEVERAL Eyewitness Accounts**

1. Mary Magdalene saw Him on the morning following the Sabbath (John 20:14-18, Mark 16:19).

2. The other Mary (mother of Jesus?) – along with Mary Magdalene – ALSO saw him (Matthew 28:9-10).

3. He appeared to Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5).

4. He revealed Himself to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

5. Two disciples on the road saw Him in the afternoon (Luke 24:13-40, Mark 16:12-13).

6. In the evening, He came to the eleven remaining disciples (minus Thomas) as they met in the Upper Room (John 20:19-23, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-49).

7. He appeared in Galilee to a gathering of more than five hundred followers (1 Corinthians 15:6).

8. He came again to the Eleven eight days later + Thomas (making it 12) —that is, eight days later (John 20:26-31).

9. After His disciples returned to Galilee, seven of them met Him on the shore of the sea (John 21:1-22).

10. ETC.

And think about it, folks….Specifically #7! A delusion is something that ONE person usually sees. So just how common would it be for 500 people ALL AT ONCE to see a “delusion?” Answer: It wouldn’t be, so that’s how we know that what those 500 people saw was AUTHENTIC and REAL!

Plus….not to mention…..ALL of Jesus’s disciples (minus Judas Iscariot, who ofcourse committed suicide) + Matthias died a death of MARTYRDOM! So why would a large group of people WILLINGLY suffer persecution, torchure, imprisonment and/or DEATH for a LIE? Answer: They wouldn’t, therefore they CLEARLY believed and personally WITNESSED Jesus BEING the Son of God & also being risen from the dead! EVEN NON-CHRISTIAN SOURCES CONFIRM THIS FACT!

Plus here are a few more additional sources which document Jesus’s existence in general (outside of the bible).

1). https://yeshua777.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/10-surefire-evidences-of-godjesus-christ/

2. http://coldcasechristianity.com/2017/is-there-any-evidence-for-jesus-outside-the-bible/

3. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/did-jesus-exist/

4. https://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources

5). Lee Strobel presentation about his TRUE-LIFE story of going from atheism to Christianity, as well as the various evidences for Jesus’s resurrection, IN DETAIL

6). “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel (the actual BOOK…….Note: this came BEFORE the movie of the same name!!!!)

7). The actual MOVIE called “Case for Christ” 

8). And not only that, but there’s always something called “THE EMBARRASSMENT FACTOR”. For back in ancient, biblical times, the “testimony” of a woman was considered “weak”, “unimportant” and “not believable”.

On the other hand, one of the Lord’s 10 commandments was NOT to lie or “bear false witness”. And so, the believing Christian male disciples around Jesus’s time considered honesty to be SUCH an important virtue to uphold, that they were willing to “risk reputation/embarrassment”, even if it meant they had to RECORD in written testimony the (gasp!) “eyewitness account testimony of A WOMAN/WOMEN, as it pertained to Jesus’s resurrection”. 

And back in ancient, biblical times, there was NOT too many historical documents floating around. So to have THAT much non-Christian evidence of Jesus’s death & resurrection is pretty compelling!

[But again, I have SEEN Jesus Christ personally during an N.D.E., so I HAVE no reason not to believe!] However, in John 20:29, Jesus states the following:

“Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”. 

Translation? Though I have seen during an N.D.E. (as many others have as well), particularly BLESSED are those who have NOT personally seen Jesus in an N.D.E. or dream/vision, and yet, BELIEVE! 😉 

The brutal reality is that it takes FAR MORE FAITH to believe that Jesus’s crucifixion or resurrection DIDN’T happen, than to believe IT DID! 😉 

As you read this and mull over all the evidence, I hope that the Spirit of Truth (The Holy Spirit) will kindly & boldly minister to you and teach you all the Lord’s truths that you’ve been missing, up to this point! And May the Lord Jesus Bless You & Keep You For All Eternity! Amen. 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You A Christian? If So, You’re On Trial!

“Christians” are sure getting a bad rep these days! It would rather seem as though (according to popular culture) that Christians are all old, outdated, boring, dull, “bigots” who just can’t seem to do ANYTHING right!

But behind the scenes looms a MUCH bigger picture, Christians, and that’s THIS: We’re ALL “On Trial!” Now…..what exactly do I mean by that, you might ask? The bible says that ALL those who TRULY wish to follow Christ WILL BE TESTED/PUT TO THE TEST! (Which puts a WHOLE new meaning to the popular saying,”Trial by Fire!”). 

So essentially, it’s like being in a spiritual courtroom of sorts. The non-Christian believer wants to TEST US and to try to see just how much of a TRUE Christian we actually are! They – along with Satan & his demons – are acting as impromptu “spiritual prosecutors” against us. And oddly enough, the MORE of a true Christian we are/prove ourselves to be, the MORE that Satan/his demons/adamant non-Christian believers tend to resent/hate us!

Why? Because they got the spirit of Antichrist on them. Please remember that ALL those who are ADAMANTLY AGAINST Christ currently HAVE the spirit of Antichrist on them, rather they realize it or not! (Agnostics, on the other hand, are ONE step closer to finding the Eternal Truth of Jesus Christ and Satan HATES THAT!)

In fact, 1 Peter 5: 8-9 in The New Testament says the following: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world”

Translation? Satan’s CONSTANTLY looking for Christians whom he can make FAIL in some way, shape or form……..even better (in HIS mind, anyways) if he can make them PERMANENTLY FALL FROM GRACE! But he can’t do it alone, folks! That’s WHY he needs the help of his various DEMONS, working underneath him! And these demons are put there in our lives to try to “tempt us” and to try to rob us of our personal joy & salvation that can ONLY be found in the BIBLICAL Christ Jesus! 

And folks, I’m gonna tell you something. As Christians, we’re CONSTANTLY on trial, while living down on this Earth. And it’s NEVER-ENDING……(until we take our last breath, that is). We’re on trial, not ONLY by Satan and his demons (and even BY the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who’s attempting in these last days to weed out the spiritual wheat from the tares) but also by various non-believers/those of other religions, all around us……….

Do we cuss? Drink alot? Smoke weed/hash? Gamble? Go to strip clubs? Watch alot of R-rated movies? Hold a grudge against someone/group of people? Lie to get our way? Manipulate to get our way? Get angry at the slightest thing? Show up late to work? Constantly gossip and/or complain about the boss?

Acquiesce (that means, reluctantly give into but NOT reject) on the concept of “abortion”, “pre-marital sex”, the “gay agenda”, etc? Do we hate our enemies and refuse to forgive those who hurt us? Do we flick people off in traffic if someone cuts us off or REFUSE to let someone IN to traffic when they’re making a turn or there’s construction? Etc? Etc? 

Folks, the truth is, we’re CONSTANTLY being watched & monitored (in a proverbial sense) by all the non-believers in our lives (friends, family members, coworkers, complete strangers on online message boards/Youtube/Facebook/in person, etc.)

And if WE CHRISTIANS (as a collective whole) are participating in ANY willfully sinful activities (and it doesn’t even matter WHAT the willful sinful activity IS), just what type of “message” does that send to all the non-believers/those of other religions out there? They either believe one or two things: That Christianity’s a farce (“If YOU don’t even believe enough in your own religion to faithfully follow it, then why should *I*?“ OR that WE as Christians (or that Jesus Christ AS Christ) are WEAK!) 

Because if they can get YOU – the true, biblical-roots Christian – to DEFY the biblical Jewish Jesus Christ and/or the bible and its “commands” in ANY type of way – they think they’ve won and that YOU – the true, biblical-roots Christian – are WEAK, folks! In fact, just look at how the LGBT Activist folks has OVERTAKEN the Christian churches of today, as well as education, pop culture AND public policy!

They’ve think they’ve WON, folks! They really, truly do! Plus they ALSO think that WE CHRISTIANS are…..WEAK (as a whole) and FAR outnumbered! Satan has these poor folks SO DECEIVED that it’s not even funny, anymore! 

But folks, we got to think about what types of “messages” we’re sending to the people around us in our lives, on a daily basis. Because if WE are not FULLY living for Christ, they will reason within themselves, then why should THEY? AS Christians, we’re expected to be the “salt and light of the world!” 

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” – [Matthew 5: 13-16]

Believe it or not, the Lord Jesus Christ WANTS to use YOU to witness to all of THEM (all the non-believers and those of other religions) in your life. Therefore, they’re CONSTANTLY gonna be asking you about/trying to SEE for themselves what types of TV shows you watch, what movies you see, what music you listen to, what types of things you do in your free time, what types of things you post on Facebook, what types of things you say when you’re upset, etc. 

Because in a sense, THEY want to know what it is exactly that sets you apart from them. THEY want to know what being a Christian is vs. NOT being a Christian is. And so, when they look around and see many “worldly” Christian churches (AND Christians) supporting such things such as homosexuality and abortion, it sends a message that the “Christian” and non-Christian “aren’t so different, afterall” and thus, for THEM, in their minds, the NEED for a Saviour becomes “convoluted” and “inactive”. 

Parents, your children are CONSTANTLY watching you (rather you realize it or not). So be sure to set some good, Christian examples! Christian employees? Again, all your non-Christian coworkers are silently taking note of your every action at work (rather you realize it or not). They’re CONSTANTLY looking for things like: “Ah-ha! He/she lied about being late to work! He/she’s no Christian! He/she’s no better than I! Therefore, I shouldn’t have to change MY life at all since there’s really no difference between him/her and I!“ and/or “Wow! He/she never smiles and always looks depressed and SERIOUS all the time, therefore, it MUST not pay to serve Jesus at all! Therefore, why should I?”

Do you SEE where I’m going with this, folks? We’re CONSTANTLY on trial with non-believers and those of other religions. CONSTANTLY. In line at Walmart/Best Buy/Baskin Robbins/the airport/etc. In traffic. At home, work or school. On an airplane. On websites and/or social media. In print (if a published author/reporter/blogger). At social events/protests. At the mall or movie theater. At the hospital/doctor’s/dentist’s office. In museums/national parks/tourist destinations. At social gatherings. Inside restaurants or fast-food joints. In public. At family functions. There’s just NO getting around it, folks! 

Oddly enough, it is Jesus’s, Satan’s, the demons AND the non-Christian believers way of testing us to see how truly “authentic” of a Christian we are. And WHEN a non-Christian believer DOES come across an “authentic” Christian, it sends a POWERFUL MESSAGE about just what a true Christian IS and what a true Christian ISN’T! (And even serves to drawl them closer & closer the Eternal Truth, which can ONLY be found in Jesus Christ, ofcourse!)

However though, like I said, the more truly AUTHENTIC of a Christian a person proves themselves to be, THE PROUDER & PROUDER JESUS CHRIST & HIS ANGELS IN HEAVEN GET and THE ANGRIER & ANGRIER that Satan and his demons get! Why? The answer can be found in Revelation 12:12 in the New Testament: 

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” – [Revelation 12:12]

Translation? Satan’s angry and knows he has but a SHORT TIME to try to deceive AS MANY Christians (as well as non-Christians) as possible before Jesus’s soon 2nd arrival upon the Earth!

Likewise, MANY Christians, at the VERY first sign of “trouble”, “conflict”, “drama” or “trial/tribulation” get all panicked and freaked out about it and aren’t sure what to do! But HERE is what the bible says about that:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” – [1 Peter 4: 12-13]

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” – [Matthew 5: 10-12]

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 

But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” – [John 15: 18-25]

“And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say” – [Luke 12: 11-12]

Therefore, I say this in conclusion: As a “Christian”, what types of messages are YOU sending to all the non-Christian believers in your life? Are YOU truly living for and representing Christ? ARE you a true ambassador for Him, the one and ONLY true God, maker of the heavens and the Earth? How do YOU know FOR 100% SURE? If Jesus were to arrive in the room right now (for example), would he praise or condemn your actions of the past week? Why? 

Let us look lastly at what the “Fruits of the Spirit” are (the HOLY SPIRIT, that is). According to Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”

Therefore, do we love others as ourselves? Do have inner peace and joy? Do we have what it takes to OVERCOME/become a longsufferer? Are we gentle & kind? Do we have FAITH (TRUE ABRAHAMIC-LIKE FAITH) in Jesus where, for example, if we knew the world economy crashed tomorrow, that we’d have the faith that Jesus would somehow see us through, etc.? And do we have FAITH in His Written Word from Genesis to Revelation? And are we MEEK and humble (as in, “I’m just ONE person, one person of MANY, I am NOTHING without Christ?”) 

Although I’ll have to admit I’m not really sure here what is meant by “goodness” and “temperance”. I THINK temperance means the ability to “maintain our temper” and remain calm in any and all situations but I could be wrong. As for goodness? It likely means the PURSUIT of things that the BIBLE/JESUS calls “good” (the fight for Pro-Life, the fight for Pro-bible, Pro-Traditional Marriage/Family, etc.)

But folks, one thing’s for sure. We CAN’T let our guards down at ANY PRICE! Cause like I said, we Christians are ALL ON TRIAL at ALL TIMES in our lives, at ANY given day, place or time. So let us all try to let Christ live THROUGH US to the best of our knowledge and ability and try to get the most “spiritual growth(s)” out of our own personal trials & tribulations as we possibly can!

Cause ya never know……YOUR successfully coming out of a “trial” in your life (be it great or small) may just be the ONE very thing that turns a non-Christian believer INTO a believer! So remember that, folks! Set good examples (both for yourselves AND for others) and DON’T back down on the gospel at ANY PRICE! And may the BIBLICAL Lord Jesus Christ be with us ALL during these here End Times! AMEN! 

“IDOLS” in Modern Day Society

It’s always been funny how historians or pop culture reporters always describe certain people as “modern day icons”/”20th century icons” or how people on online message boards will say “he/she’s always been my idol” or someone on tv will say “like, oh my gosh, you guys are my IDOLS!”

But the thing that’s caught the most attention with me lately concerning idols are three main things: 1) the TV show in and of itself called American Idol (truly think about what the name implies), the over-exposure of Lady Gaga in the media/travel industry/schools, and also the very nature of idols themselves within the Catholic Church.

Of previous notice to me was always how certain people/reporters will describe musicians as “the king of Pop”, “the rock n’ roll gods”, “the god of guitar”, “the god of rock” or even songs themselves that have lyrics such as “we’re fighting with the gods of war”.

But one thing is certain: modern day society is saying that it’s OK to idolize things or people, that it’s OK to have idols or even to BE an idol. Look no further than Hollywood, CA where the majority of modern day “idols” reside. People hysterically SCREAMING in excitement and crying tears of joy as they try to touch their “idol” (that is, their idolized celebrity) just once.

But tell me. When is the last time that anyone ever got that excited about Jesus Christ?

Well, I’ll tell you when, to be precise. It was around the time when Jesus Christ made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem and people layed down their cloaks to cover up his path and waved palm branches at him and possibly screamed and cried in excitement as he passed by, riding on a donkey.

So let me ask you this. Who or what is the “main attraction and/or focus” in YOUR life? Is it Jesus Christ (the one and only true God)? Or is it another (including yourself?)

Many Satanists/Atheists/Agnostics/Intellectuals today say or claim that they don’t actually worship Satan but instead worship themselves (Humanism). However, by refusing to worship Jesus Christ and by worshipping themselves and or this world or the things IN this world, they ARE, in an indirect sense, worshipping Satan and don’t even realize it (or don’t care, one of the two).

Others are on the active path of following other religions and/or other gods. And they too, are on an active path of worshipping Satan without even realizing it.

See, here’s the brutal reality. Whoever doesn’t worship Jesus Christ IS worshipping Satan. They do not necessarily have to have the official label of “Satanist” to BE a “Satanist” in God’s eyes.

The truth of the matter is, there’s only TWO choices one can make. They can choose to live FOR God/Jesus Christ or they can choose to live AGAINST God/Jesus Christ. There is NO other way. NONE.

Light vs. Dark, Good vs. Evil. We each pick a side to live on and then later on, after we die, we enter into eternal existence. But the question is, where will YOU spend eternity? Because where we spend eternity depends on what side we were on while we were living our lives on Earth. Did we live FOR Jesus Christ or AGAINST Jesus Christ?

Let us examine the 10 commandments.

1. Thou shall have no other gods before me (“gods” like Buddha, Allah, Joseph Smith, Zenu, money, fame, celebrities, the “worshipping” of people or things other than Jesus Christ Almighty, etc.)

2. Thou shall have unto thee no idols or graven images (anything that is in heaven, on Earth below or down below the Earth)

3. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (saying the word “God” without any sincere spiritual reference to God Almighty, even if it’s just something “simple” like “oh my God, you’re such a dork, dude!”)

4. Thou shall remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy (to remember means to ADHERE to it — Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, the TRUE 7th day Sabbath — remember that Jewish time begins as Sunset, the night before — and NOT Sun-day, the FALSE Sabbath!)

5. Thou shall not commit adultery (and that includes even doing so much as lusting after someone in one’s heart that one is not married to!)

6. Thou shall honor thy father and thy mother

7. Thou shall not kill (and that includes even doing so much as hating someone in your heart)

8. Thou shall not steal (even if it’s just as something as simple as ONE penny or a pen from the bank……..like, SERIOUSLY…..)

9. Thou shall not lie (EVEN if one thinks it is in one’s best interests).

10.  Thou shall not envy/wish for things that belong to others (how MANY times have we thought to ourselves thoughts like “I wish *I* had a clean house like so and so did or I wish *I* was as skinny as so and and so, etc., etc? Lets be honest with ourselves, here!)

[Please also note that the Lord Jesus Christ expanded on most of these in his Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew, chapters 5-7 and also that the Sabbath was created long before Moses EVER walked the Earth, which would indicate the Sabbath is for ALL of mankind, and not just some].

Okay, Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Therefore, what that means in plain English is that NOBODY is perfect. We’ve all sinned in God’s eyes, we’ve all made mistakes.

However, there is some good news and that’s this. John 3:16 says “for God [the Heavenly Father] so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son [Jesus Christ] that whoever believeth in him [Jesus Christ] should not perish [go to eternal condemnation] but have everlasting life [eternity with Jesus Christ in Paradise].

So essentially what that means is if we have faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledge our sins to Jesus Christ in prayer, pray for forgiveness of our sins, repent/give up our sins, get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, spread the gospel to all nations and lead a life that’s pleasing to Jesus Christ by obeying all his commandments [such as 10 commandments, and all New Testament teachings — specifically, the Sermon on the Mount teachings), we’ll be forgiven of ALL our sins when we die and assured a spot in eternal paradise with Jesus Christ someday.

All the rest will go to hell and/or eternal condemnation in an everlasting fire. Jesus described hell in Luke 13:28 “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out”. In other words, every single person that dies without ever truly accepting or trusting Jesus Christ (meaning, having true faith in him) will be eternally cast out.

However, at some point right before, during, or after the time a person is cast out from eternal paradise with Jesus Christ, Jesus says that person will see all the prophets of God standing in the kingdom of God/eternal paradise. And to be cast out from the kingdom of God means to be burnt alive with fire – for eternity.

But going back to the 10 commandments. We already KNOW why modern day society openly violates all 10 commandments, especially the 2nd and 4th one; (the TRUE Sabbath is actually on SATURDAY and is from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown).

Modern day American society is “Babylonian” and full of nothing but darkness because it’s controlled by Satan. It WANTS to keep you entertained. It WANTS to take you AWAY from God/Jesus Christ. It WANTS you to worship other gods besides Jesus Christ (notice how rock music NEVER mocked Buddha, Allah, Joseph Smith, etc? Why is that, do you think? Think about it. Birds of a feather flock together)

It WANTS you to lie, cheat and steal (even doing so much as stealing someone’s boyfriend/girlfriend, wife/husband and/or fiance/fiancee is classified in God’s eyes as *stealing”), it WANTS you to lust, it WANTS you to envy things that belong to others, it WANTS you to hate, it WANTS you to cheat on your boyfriend/girlfriend, wife/husband, or fiance/fiancee, it WANTS you to lie, it WANTS you to say the Lord’s name in vain. Lets face it, this dark world and the things OF this world are DESIGNED by Satan and his demons to try to suck your soul away from Jesus Christ! Think about it, folks!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. Ephesians 6:12

This is pure SPIRITUAL WARFARE……….a WAR FOR YOUR SOUL…….

The question is, who will win? Will Jesus Christ win your soul or will Satan win your soul?

The choice is up to you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

For the people who die without Jesus Christ aren’t sent to hell and/or eternal condemnation by Jesus Christ by choice.  Those folks simply CHOSE to go there.

For we either CHOOSE to accept Jesus Christ or we CHOOSE to reject him. There IS no other way in this world but those 2 paths. Sorry guys but that’s the brutal reality of it all.

Remember that all paths that lead AWAY from Jesus Christ lead to Satan, which then leads to hell and/or eternal condemnation and that all paths that lead to truth lead to Jesus Christ, which then leads to everlasting life/eternal paradise with Jesus Christ.

When people die, they are sent to 1 of 2 places (eternal paradise with God/Jesus Christ) or eternal condemnation in everlasting fire) But the choice is up to YOU. Would YOU be willing to die without Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior? I wouldn’t. Those that die without ever having accepted salvation, trust, love, faith, obedience etc. in Jesus Christ will LOSE THEIR SOUL. FOR ETERNITY.

So please. I beg of you. Please cry out to Jesus Christ today and get to know him while there’s still time. We never know when we’re gonna die, just like we never know when this world’s gonna end.

Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”.

So Who Is Jesus Christ And What Is All The Big Fuss About?

So who is Jesus Christ and what is all the big fuss about?

Over 2,000+ years ago, in the city of Bethlehem, a virgin named Mary (who was highly esteemed by God), conceived a child by means of the Holy Spirit of God and gave birth to a son and that son’s name was Immanuel/Yeshua/Jesus.

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lordis with thee: blessed art thou among women. ²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. ³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³ and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” – Luke 1:26-33

33 years later, Jesus was torchured and sent to be executed, in order to pay the penalty for all the sins of mankind.

“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵ And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost” – Luke 23: 44-46

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” – Romans 4:25

This is known as “salvation”. The *gift* of  salvation/eternal life is a “free gift” from God, for all whom believe in Jesus Christ, get baptized in Jesus’s name, ask for forgiveness of their sins, repent of their sins (that means, give them up and stop doing them), have faith in/TRUST Jesus Christ and that LIVE for Jesus Christ in their day to day lives. In other words, Jesus died for all of mankind, in order to save us from God’s wrath & to give us the free gift of salvation and eternal life with him someday.

3 days later after he died from being crucified and was placed in a tomb with a huge stone rolled over it (with a Roman guard placed right outside the tomb), Jesus was resurrected. His linen cloth was there in the tomb where his body had once laid but he was no longer:

Luke 24:1-9 states, “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. ² And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.³ And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: ⁵ and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, ⁷ saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. ⁸ And they remembered his words, ⁹ and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest”

He then appeared to his apostles later on after his resurrection, showing them (specifically Thomas) the holes in his hands/wrists and feet.

Luke 24: 33-40 “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, ³⁴ saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. ³⁵ And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

³⁶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷ But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸ And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. ⁴⁰ And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet”

40 days later, he ascended up to heaven to be on the right hand throne of God, the Heavenly Father.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” – Acts 6: 9-11

There are SEVERAL non-Christian accounts which support this:

http://factreal.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/jesus-resurrection-proven-by-early-non-christian-writers/

And what were Jesus’s divine commands to mankind? Well, IN ADDITION to the 10 commandments (which Jesus Christ EXPANDED ON in the Sermon on the Mount, New Testament, book of Matthew, chapters 5-7), he taught the following: 

“I [Jesus Christ] am the way, the truth and the light. No-one comes to the father [God the Heavenly Father/Salvation] except by me” John 14:6

“That whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have everlasting life” [John 3:15] (KJV, Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 15).

“For God [the Heavenly Father] so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have everlasting life”
[John 3:16]

“For God [the Heavenly Father] did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that through him [Jesus Christ], the world might be saved” [John 3:17]

“He who believes in Him [Jesus Christ] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” [John 3:18]

“He who believes and is baptized is saved but he who does not believe will be condemned” [Mark 16:16]

“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” [John 3:20]

“But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” [John 3:21]

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in the Father [God], believe also in me [Jesus Christ, Son of God]” [John 14:1]

“In my Father’s [God the Heavenly Father’s] house [heaven/Paradise] are many mansions. If it were not so, I [Jesus Christ] would not have told you. I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you may be also” John [14:2-3]

“Ask for anything you want from the Father [God, the Heavenly Father], using my name [Jesus Christ], and it shall be given you” [John 14:13-14]

“If you love me [Jesus Christ], you will keep my commandments. And you shall be granted the Holy Spirit, who shall abide with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him”
[John 14:15-17]

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me [Jesus Christ] before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong in the world, but I have chosen you out of the world – therefore, the world hates you” [John 18:18-19]

“If I [Jesus Christ] had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me [Jesus Christ, the holy Son] hates my Father also [God, the heavenly father]” [John 15:22-23]

“Have you believed because you have seen me? [Jesus talking to Thomas, the doubter] Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe” [John 20:29]

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” [James 4:4]

“For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]

“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, materialistic, hedonistic, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” [2 Timothy 3:1-4]

“For when they shall say, Peace and Security; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape”. [1 Thessalonians 5:3]

“And again I [Jesus Christ] say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” [Matthew 19:24]

SERMON ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 5:3]

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” [Matthew 5:4]

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” [Matthew 5:5]

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” [Matthew 5:6]

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” [Matthew 5:7]

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” [Matthew 5:8]

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” [Matthew 5:9]

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 5:10]

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” [Matthew 5:11]

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders is in danger of judgment’. – But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment” [Matthew 5:21-22]

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery’. – But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” [Matthew 5:27-28]

“Judge not, lest ye be judged” [Matthew 7:1]

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – For everyone who ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”
[Matthew 7:7-8]

“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asked for a fish, will give him a serpent?” [Matthew 7:9]

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” [Matthew 7:10]

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” [Matthew 7:13]

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [Jesus/heaven], and there are few who find it” [Matthew 7:14]

“Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven” [Matthew 7:21]

———-
[NOTE: For Further Reading on Jesus’s Sermon on The Mount (his most famous sermon), read the gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7. Also check out the entirety of the Old AND New Testament as well, for the quoted teachings up above only cover about 1/3 of Jesus’s teachings to mankind!!!!! Also please remember that Jesus Christ made “pre-flesh” appearances in Old Testament…..Nebuchadnezzar’s “furnace” and also the “angel of the Lord” that helped Joshua in battle, amongst many other times].